Canes' Drop 2-1 Decision in Edmonton

It was a low scoring affair in Edmonton last night as the Hurricanes travelled to the Provincial Capital to take on the Oil Kings.

Lethbridge started out strong in the first 8 or so minutes keeping Edmonton hemmed in it's own zone, but mid-way through the first, the Oil Kings would score on their first power play to take a 1-0 lead after 20-minutes. In the second, The Hurricanes tied it up when Zach Boychuk poked a rebound passed Oil Kings goaltender Torrie Jung. With the game tied at one heading into the final period, Edmonton would get the go ahead goal and eventual game winner with around 7 minutes remaining when Brenden Dowd came out from behind the Canes' goal and put a shot passed Juha Metsola. Despite the loss, Metsola played a solid game between the pipes. He was peppered with 18 shots in the 2nd period alone. Boychuk extended his point scoring streak to 11 straight games. The Oil Kings moved one step closer to solidifying that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a 2-point buffer on Prince Albert with 3 games to go for both of those teams.

You have to give the Oil Kings some credit. They played like a desperate hockey team that needed to win, knowing their playoff lives were at stake. It was a big victory for them. Lethbridge though now slips 3 points back of Kootenay and 4 behind Medicine Hat with 3 games to go. This will be an interesting week to say the least. The Canes' play Kootenay back-to-back Friday and Saturday and then close out the regular season schedule with Calgary.

Lethbridge still has a shot at 5th place, but a few things would have to work out in order for that to happen. Here's one scenario. First, the Hurricanes need to win their final 3 games in regulation. If that happens and Edmonton beats Kootenay on Wednesday in regulation and Medicine Hat splits it's final two games with Red Deer and Calgary at least also in regulation, Lethbridge would get 5th spot. Even though the Tigers and Canes' at that point would be tied in points, the Hurricanes would have more wins, giving them the higher playoff berth. Got it? Good! The Canes' loss in Edmonton last night though, did complicate things a bit more when it comes to 5th place. The key here for the Lethbridge is to win it's remaining games and in regulation time. In a sense, the Hurricanes kind of control their own destiny here. A little help from Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary wouldn't hurt either! Obviously the Canes' can't control what happens in those other games. I suppose anything can happen though. One thing I do know is we'll finally know by this time next week who plays who in the first round!

Tonight on CJOC at 7 o'clock is "Hurricanes This Week". This will be our second last show of the season. Marty Baceda from Global Sports in Lethbridge will co-host with me tonight. Our guest for the entire hour will be Hurricanes GM Roy Stasiuk.