A pretty spirited and feisty hockey game last night in Medicne Hat.
The rivalry between the Hurricanes and Tigers was alive and well. Just 15 seconds in Mike Reddington dropped the gloves with Medicine Hat's Matthew Konan, that was just after the Tigers laid two solid body checks right off the drop of the puck. The game continued to be chippy with numerous penalties throughout.
The Tigers opened the scoring late in the first to take 1-0 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes. Luca Sbisa and Wacey Hamilton fought late in the opening period. I would give the edge to Sbisa in that one. No question a very entertaining first period though with a lot of jump from both teams.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead early in the second on a power play goal by Taylor Gal, but the Hurricanes got one back mid-way through the period when Carter Bancks scored on a penalty shot to close the gap to 2-1. Medicine Hat would regain that 2 goal lead shortly after and took 3-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.
Special teams was clearly a factor last night. Lethbridge spent way too much time in the penalty box, no penalty more costly though than a too many men on the ice call in the 3rd. The Tigers scored on that power play to regain a two goal lead. That was a key time in the game, because Lethbridge had got back to within one less than a minute into the 3rd on a goal by Carter Ashton. The Tigers had 8 power plays and scored twice, including that big goal in the 3rd. The Hurricanes had their chances on the man advantage as well and finished the game 1 for 8. That last power goal though was timely for the Tigers as it gave the home side a two goal cushion again and a bit more breathing room as the Hurricanes were pressing hard to even the score.
Ville Kolppanen was great in goal for Lethbridge. He was the game's 3rd star and made numerous big saves to keep the Canes' in the hunt. It didn't look like he missed a beat after being sidelined for more than two weeks with a concussion. Cam Braes did not play last night and sat out with a back problem. Head Coach/GM Rich Preston said in the pre-game show that he could've played, but they decided it would be best that he rest up as the Hurricanes play only two games over the course of the next 12 days.
The Hurricanes will close out a busy 3 games in 3 days tonight when they host the Kootenay Ice. These two teams haven't played since opening night in Cranbrook when the Canes' wound up on the losing end of a very lopsided 8-1 score. Game time is 6pm (MT). The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30. The Ice hammered the Tri-City Americans 7-1 in Cranbrook last night. This will be a big game for both teams as they try and stay out of the basement in the Eastern Conference.
Hey, a big thanks to Dave Wiggers at PTT Wireless. Dave was kind enough to set me up with one of those fancy internet turbo sticks from BELL. The thing works great. I guess no excuse for not getting work done on road trips on the bus anymore!
Thanks,
Pat
No comments:
Post a Comment