A real tough loss for the Hurricanes last night on home-ice.
The team was less than a minute away from winning it's 4th game in a row, but a late 3rd period goal by Saskatoon, with their goaltender pulled tied the contest at 2 sending the game into overtime. A bench minor for too many men on the ice mid-way through the extra period proved very costly for Lethbridge. After killing off 6 Saskatoon power plays in regulation, the Blades notched the overtime winner while the Canes' were trying to kill off that bench minor. It was simply a breakdown on a line change that cost Lethbridge in the overtime. The Hurricanes though can learn from things like that though. If you want to look at the positives, Lethbridge gets 3 out 4 points on the weekend and played a very good game against an experienced Saskatoon team.
Give Saskatoon some credit. The Blades looked to be down and out and then in the 3rd period they turned up the heat. They got the equalizer and then the winner shortly thereafter. Good teams find ways to win and the Blades managed that last night.
It was a pretty entertaining game. The Hurricanes special teams played a huge part again. Lethbridge scored both it's goals on the power play and at the same time the penalty killers were able to hold the Blades, until the O-T winner. The Canes' PK is one of the best in league right now and sits in the top 7.
Mitch Maxwell had another great game for Lethbridge. The Magrath product scored once and added an assist to lead the way offensively. For the second straight night he made the 3 star selection. The Canes' lost Carter Ashton 5 minutes into the game. He was ejected for a hit from behind. The hit in my opinion certainly was a penalty, but I didn't think it warranted a 5 minute major and game misconduct. I think it fored a few other players like Maxwell to pick up the slack with Lethbridge's top sniper gone for the game.
Richie Sutter was on the bench last night along side Rich Preston for Lethbridge. Sutter was pinch hitting for Associate Coach Matt Kabayama who had to leave prior to the game because of a family emergency. I also thought Eric Mestery played well for the second game in a row for the Canes'. He stepped up last night, dropping the gloves with Saskatoon's Randy McNaught. He had a good game on Friday too versus Edmonton.
It's a busy week coming up for this Hurricanes team with 4 games in 5 days. On Wednesday, the Canes' host Chilliwack and then it's back on the road again with games Friday in Brandon, Saturday at Regina, and Sunday night in Moose Jaw.
The Hurricanes after 10 games sit with a record of 3-6-0-1.
Have a good Thanksgiving holiday!
Thanks,
Pat
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Excellent effort by the Canes against Edmonton and Saskatoon! Unfortunately, there were forces at work beyond their control against SASK.
ReplyDeleteFour comments about the Saturday night game:
1. Zahn put on a great injury show four minutes into the first that resulted in the weak minded refs ejecting our leading scorer; nice job Cowley and Agar - You are both a couple of losers to fall for that show! It wasn't that bad of a hit; certainly nothing worse than the rest of the game! (BTW- Zahn didn't miss a shift even though he 'could barely make it to the bench')
2. How the H-E-double hockey sticks do the 'Canes end up short-handed when Saskatoon's Klassen JUMPS on top of Tarnasky and starts pounding him after Tarnasky threw an awesome (clean) check?? Again, how do these refs keep their jobs?? I know if I made that many obvious mistakes in my job, I would be fired the same day!
3. Mestery did much better, but he has GOT to toughen up. He doesn't need to fight the toughest guy on the opposition's team like he did Saturday, he just needs to play the body instead of using that 8-foot stick all the time! Come on Mestery, do you think that they will put up with that type of soft effort in the NHL?? - No chance! Do you have any interest in getting there?
4. I have seen some great team salutes at centre ice by the NHL home teams after games already this year (EDM, NYR). Players clapping for the fans during their 3-star appearance, giving pucks and sticks to the kids in the crowd after being chosen as a star, I know our fans disappoint the players, but if they started to show (or fain?) some appreciation for the crowds, the fans WILL LOVE it, and show up in droves. I know we don't deserve it, but show some gratitude and it will come back in multiples in cheers and attendance... Just give it a try.
Great opening weekend, looking forward to the rest of the year! Richie.
I agree with Anonymous on Points 1,2, and 3.. and when you hit #4, you need to evaluate our participation in the hockey game.
ReplyDeleteAs an avid hockey fan, I have the opportunity to travel to a few of the away games. Our fans in Lethbridge need to learn from the very FEW American teams in our league. The American WHL teams have no shortage of vocal support in each and every game. They are loud, boisterous, and in-your-face fans for the entire game -- win or lose. They dont pay attention -- when the refs come on - they Boo'ed each and every period. Is it any wonder when teams like Portland, Tri-Cites, Everitt and Seattle are on the rebound -- Players respond to the cheers of fans -- whether winning or losing. Coming to games in Lethbridge - and many of the other locals around the Central Division -- is like going to a funeral - quiet, serene and very respectful. Let's Go CANES FANS!!!! get on board... cheer whether you like what you see or not.. but CHEER loud and NOISY.. and you would be surprised how well this team could do. They could be #1 in this Division. Don't come to the game and take it as your opportunity to TAKE A NAP!!!!