Still Winless Hurricanes in Swift Current Tonight

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are still looking for their first win of the season after a tough loss last night in Red Deer.

Despite the 4-2 defeat, I think the Hurricanes can take a lot of positives from this game. By far, they played their best period of hockey this season in the first period. Newly acquired forward Radim Valchar scored twice for the Canes’ in a losing cause. They out shot Red Deer 37-27 overall and played like a more confident group. Those are all positives. Lethbridge had a 2-0 lead at one point, but the Rebels managed to fight back and score 4 straight goals to win. The Hurricanes made a couple of mistakes which I think cost them a win last night. Communication was an issue on the last two goals by Red Deer. That communication will come over time, once all these new faces get settled in.

For the most part, it was night and day for this team last night when compared with the first two games of the season last weekend in Kootenay and Medicine Hat. There was no comparison in terms of the Hurricanes defensive play. Mike Reddington played well in his first game as a Hurricanes as did Landon Oslanski in my opinion and it’s clear Brennan Yadlowski’s presence made a big difference too.

That said, this Hurricanes team will keep plugging along, looking tonight for that first victory when they take on the Broncos in Swift Current. Tonight will be game four of 8 consecutive games on the road to start the season for the Hurricanes.

Brad Robson, the Hurricanes Assistant G.M. and Director of Player Personnel was on the broadcast last night in the second intermission. He talked about the player acquisitions this week and hinted that this team isn’t done tweaking things just yet. Robson told me he talks which Rich Preston two or three times a day and continues to watch players on other teams to see what’s out there that could make this Lethbridge team even better.

Like I’ve said before, I don’t think the Canes’ are done yet either. They still have an overage spot to fill and I think that could be filled by a goalie or another defenceman. We’ll see in the days and weeks ahead what the powers at be have up their sleeves. One thing is certain, the moves that Preston made this week have made a difference even it’s only one game. This team seemed more confident and stronger on the ice. With times, things will only get better.
The Canes’ take on the Broncos for the first time this season tonight. Swift Current has lost it’s past two games and is coming off a loss to Brandon last night and will be looking to get back on track against the winless Canes’. The Broncos have just one win in three games this season. The Hurricanes by the way, are the only team in the WHL without at least one point in the early going this season. Lethbridge hopes that will all change for the better this evening.

Tonight’s game from Swift Current is a 7:30 start. The pre-game show on CJOC at 7. As always, you can email your comments or questions to hurricanes@pttwireless.ca.