Hurricanes Home Opener vs. Oil Kings

After spending the past three weeks of the WHL season on the road, the Lethbridge Hurricanes finally get a chance to play in front of their home town fans tonight in the team's home opener.

The Hurricanes are 2-6 on the season, but they've won their past two games in convincing fashion. I know for the players and fans it seems likes it been a long time since this team last played at the Enmax and it has. The last time the Canes' played in their own building was early April when they lost out out to the Calgary Hitmen in the playoffs. Adams Ice Centre was kind to the club during training camp and pre-season, but as most people know there simply is no place like home!

Both home games this weekend are expected to be sellouts as I mentioned in my blog post yesterday. Over the next month of so, the Hurricanes will make up for all those games on the road as they play a good portion of hockey in Lethbridge leading right up to the Christmas break.

For the most part, this Lethbridge team has had a good week of rest and practice as they get set for tonight's game against the Oil Kings. Yesterday, members of the local media met with the players and coaches to give them a bit of an idea, especially the Hurricanes newcomers as to what to expect from us in the jobs we do covering the club. I know from personal experience that for a rookie, a lot of media attention can be somewhat overwhelming and maybe even intimidating when a microphone is placed in front of them for the first time. Over time though, the players get a lot more comfortable with us and us with them. It just part of growing our relationship as reporters with the team and the players with us.

Edmonton provides the Canes' first opponent on home-ice the season. Steve Pleau's crew has been a force to be reckoned with early on as they come into this game at 4-1-0-2 in 7 games. Edmonton is a much improved group, more experienced, and a little more hungry after securing their first playoff berth last season. I think this should be a pretty good game. I expect the Canes' to come out flying in front of the local fans and the Oil Kings I'm sure will want to try and spoil the party!

Saturday, it'll be the Saskatoon Blades in town in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference first round playoff series which the Canes' took in 7 games. Wednesday next week, Chilliwack stops in for a visit, before Lethbridge hits the road for three games next weekend in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Game time tonight on CJOC is 7. The pre-game show with myself and Fred Jack at 6:30. Any comments or questions during the broadcast can be emailed or text to: hurricanes@pttwireless.ca

Thanks,
Pat