Canes' Host Seattle Tonight

It's been a pretty interesting week for the Lethbridge Hurricanes more so off the ice than on it.

Just before the team's big 5-4 come-from-behind win against Moose Jaw Sunday, the Hurricanes got some very good and unexpected news. Defenceman Luca Sbisa, who no one would've bet money on coming back to the WHL this season was reassigned by the NHL's Anaheim Ducks. Because Sbisa is only 19, he can not be recalled by the Ducks this season, meaning he can only play in junior. Luca's return to Lethbridge though wasn't simply cut and dry. There was talk this week that his agent wanted to explore other possibilities in the Western Hockey League. Perhaps his agent took a look at the Hurricanes current record and figured Sbisa would be better suited to play junior with another club. Canes' Head Coach/GM Rich Preston made it very clear this week that he wants Sbisa on the Hurricanes and that with Luca in the line-up the Hurricanes are a much better team. Obviously something was worked out in the past couple of days because Sbisa arrived in Lethbridge last night and ready for tonight's game against Seattle at the Enmax Centre.

Some people ask, well what can one player do to turn around the Canes' fortunes? Sure, hockey is a team game, but a player of Luca's calibre I think can bring a lot to a team that's been steadily improving for the past 3 or 4 weeks. Sbisa will lug a tonne of ice time, taking pressure of the rest of Lethbridge's defensive corps. He'll play in pretty much every situation and be a key on the power play. Will Sbisa be the end all and be all for the Hurricanes? I don't think so, but he will certainly make a difference. One thing is for sure though, he will most likely garner a lot of attention in the WHL the rest of this season, no matter what rink he plays in.

Tonight, the Hurricanes host Seattle. The Thunderbirds are a team in a rebuilding mode. They've had a few bumps in the road so far this season, but that doesn't mean this is going to be an easy game for Lethbridge. Perhaps the Canes' will use the addition of Sbisa as a motivating factor tonight. I would expect the Hurricanes will have some good jump in this one. It should be a fun one to watch.

Game time is 7:00. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. Tomorrow the Hurricanes will host Brandon in a Halloween night match-up.

Thanks,
Pat