A tough loss for the Lethbridge Hurricanes last night in Red Deer. A goal half way through the 3rd period lifted the Rebels to a 1-0 shutout victory over the struggling Canes.
It was a pretty slow start for the first game back after the one week Christmas break. It took a while for the Hurricanes and Red Deer Rebels to find their game legs again. The two teams spent the better part of the first period feeling each other out. The Canes' started the game with 5 regulars out of the line-up, 3 of them with injury: Rowat, Ryckman, and Ross.
Not much happened in the second period either. Things started to open up a bit more, but still no offence. Brandon Anderson played well through the first 40 minutes as the Canes' were out shot 19-10 through the first two periods. The game remained scoreless heading into the 3rd. I think it was a real good start for the Hurricanes on the road after the break overall. It was a quiet game and that likely faired well for Lethbridge. The Canes' also called up affiliate defenceman Adam Henry who helped fill the void with Luca Sbisa at the World Juniors and Derek Ryckman sidelined with injury.
In the end it turned out to be the team that scored first wins. Lethbridge native Jordie Deagle broke the scoreless tie midway through the 3rd to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead. The Hurricanes thought they had tied the game just a over a minute later when Carter Bancks poked the pucked passed Red Deer goaltender Darcy Kuemper, but after going to video replay the goal was overturned. To me, it looked like the puck crossed the line before the net came off, but the video goal judge obviously saw things a bit different. The Hurricanes coaching staff was told the replay was inconclusive and therefore it was called off. Bad break for the Canes on that one. I still feel it should have counted from what I saw on the replay. The Canes were unable to get the equalizer and lost 1-0. The loss drops the Hurricanes record to 10-21-3-1. Lethbridge has just 2 wins in the last 14 games.
Injury Update
The Hurricanes have been bit by the injury bug over the past week. In the game last weekend again Kootenay, the Canes' lost Max Ross to a broken leg and Derek Ryckman with a shoulder injury. Ross is out for at least two months and Ryckman two weeks at least. As for goaltender Linden Rowat, he's back practicing with the Hurricanes. Rich Preston is hoping to get him back into game action soon, maybe by the end of this week.
Keeping The Faith
If fans think Head Coach and GM Rich Preston is going to throw in the towel on this season think again. Despite the struggles and despite the team's record, Preston is keeping optimistic about the Canes' chances of making the post-season. In the pre-game show last night, Preston told me he believes in order to make the playoffs his team will have to play 5 or 6 games over .500, which he feels this team is "very capable of doing." He stressed that all these upcoming divisional games are going to be critical when it comes to trying to accomplish that goal.
The Hurricanes next game is Tuesday night in Edmonton when they take on the Oil Kings at Rexall Place. It'll be the Canes' first trip to the Alberta capital this season. Game time is 7 o'clock. There is no Hurricanes This Week talk show tonight on CJOC. We will resume the show next Monday, January 4th at 6pm.
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.
Watched the game on WEBTV; cannot believe that the Cane goal was dissallowed.
ReplyDeleteSince the video goal judge ruled the video was 'inconclusive,' does that mean that there was NO call whatsoever by the refs on the ice? (Ususally if inconclusive, the ruling on the ice would stand) Its great that if you sense a goal is going to be scored, you can push your net off without consequence; not even a D.O.G penalty? - This really was screwed up the officals,... AGAIN.
The ref was actually between the blue line and the goal when the puck went in. He did not make a call either way. The light went on. He consulted with teh goal judge and then went to video replay. The video goal judge was the one who ultimately made the decision. The ref was certainly not in any position to make a call either way.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you saw the ref and goal judge converse, the goal judge nodded his head yes, so he called it a goal. That call made a difference in the total outcome of the game. I could have meant the difference between a win or loss, between 2, 1 or 0 points. Guess the refs had off too much time -- or the turkey put their brain to sleep.
ReplyDeleteWatching Webcast (free for 3 days), the announcer said he would be shocked if the Lethbridge goal was disallowed.....so obviously he too felt it should have been counted and a tie game at that point
ReplyDeleteI don't know who Preston is trying to kid, unless it is himself. Despite their 11th loss by 1 goal, this team is not a playoff team. They now trail the 8th spot currently held by Red Deer by 16 points. That is too much of a deficit for a team that is 19th in the league on both the PP and PK. Preston has made some very good deals (especially moving Ashton)and he should realize that it is time to deal Sibsa to a contender for a high draft pick and a young player and Bancks (thanks for all he has given to the Canes) to a contender for a draft pick and a young player. Preston ran the risk of not dealing Sibsa before the WJHC with a possiblity of injury which he did sustain against Canada. Who are we kidding here? The 09-10 Canes will not make the playoffs....time to deal! Of course no deal for Sibsa can be made now until the WJHC are over.
ReplyDeleteRJ
Hey Rich I am having a party for new years. Can I get some of what you are smoking. Must be pretty good. With the term and financials of your contract there is no need to try and save your job. You will be here next season.
ReplyDeleteI was at the game in Red Deer sitting at row 4 by the goal and it was definatly a goal it crossed the line before the net got moved, but that isn't why they lost..the Canes still need scoring most shots were not good shots , some worked hard , some are just not good enough to play in the dub..but if they didn't have Bancks they would'nt have anyone going to the net... maybe next year !!!!
ReplyDeletePat, can you ask Rich what he thinks the Browns playoff chances are. I'd like to see if he can lie about more than 1 sport.
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