Tri-City 4 Lethbridge 2...@ Medicine Hat Tonight

Three goals by Kruise Reddick helped the Tri-City Americans to a 4-2 win in Lethbridge last night against the Hurricanes.

It was a close game until the Ams got two quick second period goals to open up a 3-0 lead. Tri-City came out gunning last night shooting from every angle in the first. Brandon Anderson was busy in the opening 20 minutes between the pipes for Lethbridge. A shot by Ams leading scorer Brendan Shinnimin beat Anderson high over the blocker on a power play to give Tri-City a 1-0 lead after one period. The Americans outshot the Canes' 14-8 after one.

In the second, Kruise Reddick scored two quick goals for Tri-City beating Anderson upstairs both times. The Americans quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead and that put an end to Brandon Anderson's night as he was pulled in favour of Ville Kolppanen who saw his first game action in more than two weeks. He's been out with a concussion. Shortly after, Mitch Maxwell broke in on a partial breakaway and scored his team leading 12th goal to cut the lead to 3-1 after 40 minutes.

In the 3rd, a strange bounce in the Hurricanes zone turned into a 4-1 lead for the Ams. Really a weird goal that beat Kolppanen who never had a chance on that one. Austin Fyten told our CJOC post-game show last night that goal really took the wind out of the Hurricanes sails as they tried to mount a 3rd period comeback. The Canes' did get the one back with a late power play goal by Carter Ashton, but would be as close as Lethbridge would get. That power play goal was only the Hurricanes second in their last 26 chances with the man advantage.

Canes' forward Cam Braes left the game with what appears to be a back problem. Associate Coach Matt Kabayama said last night his back has been bothering him for a while. As for how long he might be out of the line-up, he couldn't say. Hopefully for the Canes' sake it won't be too long. Braes is currently 3rd in team scoring with 8 goals and 12 assists in 22 games. He's a big piece of the Hurricanes puzzle this season.

Goalie Update
Brandon Anderson started his 4th straight game the Hurricanes last night against the Americans. Ville Kolppanen was the back-up again, but came in to relieve Anderson after he was pulled in the 2nd . Rich Preston told me in the pre-game show that Kolppanen would start at some point this weekend, but didn't lead on as to whether he'd play tonight in the Hat or tomorrow back at home against Kootenay. As for the veteran Linden Rowat, he's still sidelined and day-to-day with an ankle injury. Preston said he likely won't be ready till next week at the earliest. His ankle is still very tender and he's been having trouble putting on the goalie skates. Given the Hurricanes have only one game next week and only play once after this weekend until November 27th, I would suggest Rowat might not see any action until the game in Saskatoon at the end of the month. That 9 day rest for the Canes' between games might be just what the doctor ordered for Lethbridge.

Next up for the Hurricanes, the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight in the Hat. Game time is 7:30 (MT). The Tigers beat the Hurricanes 7-3 in their first meeting of the season way back on opening weekend. Medicine Hat lost last night 3-2 in a shootout in Calgary. The Tigers will see a different looking Canes' team than the young, inexperienced group that lost back in September. It should be a good one. These two rivals always play each other tough and with the game in Medicine Hat it always makes for a great atmosphere!

Thanks,
Pat