Hurricanes Lose 6-1 in P.A.

On the bus back to Lethbridge - The Lethbridge Hurricanes losing skid now sits at 6 games after a 6-1 loss in Prince Albert last night as the Canes' continue having issues scoring goals.

The Raiders came out flying last night, pounding 17 shots at Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Anderson in the first period. Anderson again played good between the pipes, but isn't getting much offensive support up front. The Raiders opened the scoring about half-way through the period and then added one more with 13.3 seconds left on the clock in first. That was a tough goal to give up late in the period for a team that has been struggling scoring goals itself.

In the second, the Canes' got that one back when Luca Sbisa fired a one-timer passed Raiders goaltender Garrett Zemlak to cut the lead to 2-1. That was Sbisa's first goal of the season to go along with the 7 assists he already had going into last night's game. Prince Albert though would keep on coming. They got that goal back plus one more with 25 seconds to go in the period to give the Raiders a comfortable 4-1 lead after 20 minutes. That would be it for Anderson in goal.

The Hurricanes decided to change up the goaltenders in the third, but it didn't make much difference. Ville Kolppanen was beat on the first shot he faced and the Raiders would later add one more on a power play to take the game easily 6-1. The Canes' were out shot 48-30. It was a busy night for the two Lethbridge goalies. The Hurricanes had a few chances to score themselves, but for whatever reason the puck just isn't going in the net for this team right now.

The game did show have some chippiness to it. Captain Carter Bancks dropped the gloves with P.A.'s Ryan Harrison. I would give Bancks the edge in that scrap. The Raiders though took advantage of every chance they got and they deserve a lot of credit for a well played game. Prince Albert has lost only 3 times in regulation on home-ice this season. They continue to play good hockey at the Art Hauser Centre.

Head Coach/GM Rich Preston told me before the game that his team needs to find a way to score more. Preston said scoring has kind of been the Canes' Achilles heal this year and noted the goaltenders have been keeping the team in games, but troubles putting the puck in the net have proved to be the difference in a lot of games. Case and point again last night. Only one goal to show. The Canes' have been getting chances, just trouble finishing especially close in around the net. I would have to say the team is frustrated with the way things have gone lately, with just one point in the last 6 games. Teams are starting to pull away in the Eastern Conference and it is getting tougher and tougher to look at the standings after each game.

The Hurricanes next action is Tuesday night when the travel to Medicine Hat to take on the Tigers. Game time is 7 pm (MT). This will be the 3rd meeting between the two rivals this season. The two clubs will play again on Saturday (Dec. 5) in Lethbridge.

5th Annual Hurricanes Celebrity Dinner and Auction

The Hurricanes held their annual sports dinner and auction Friday night at the new Coast Lethbridge Hotel and Conference Centre (the former El Rancho). The sold out event was well received. Cabrel "Cabbie" Richards from the Score TV Network was the M.C. for the dinner and auction. Former NHLer Gerry Cheevers was the guest speaker. The silent auction brought in $10,000 while the live auction raised $73,000. After it was all said and done, the net earnings from the event turned out to be $61,000. All that money will go to support a number of local charities in southern Alberta. A big thanks to Brian Wichars, Parrish Hanelt, and Shawn Hass for all the work they put in organizaing the event. The dinner and auction was held earlier this year. It usually doesn't happen until sometime after the new year.

Time to get set now and watch the Grey Cup later on today. I'll admit I'm a bit nervous being a die hard Riders fan, not because they're playing the power house Montreal Alouettes, simply because it's the BIG game. Can't wait. Nothing like being the underdog. Everything to gain and nothing to lose, well expect for the Grey Cup I guess!

Go Green!

Pat