Chalk up another 2 points for the Hurricanes in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Lethbridge pulled out a 4-2 victory on home-ice last night versus Swift Current. It turned out to be a fairly entertaining game. The Canes' special teams was clearly the difference scoring 3 times on the power play and once more short-handed. Lethbridge opened the scoring early on a goal by Carter Ashton. The Bronocs followed that up with a pair and had the lead 2-1 after one. The Hurricanes actually outshot Swift Current 9-0 at one point, less that 4 minutes into the opening period. After that, the Canes' took over in the goal department scoring once in the 2nd to tie it up and then added two more in the 3rd to win it 4-2. Other goal scorers for the Hurricanes included Dwight King, Austin Fyten, and Drew Hoff. The Hurricanes have now won 3 straight and have points in their past 4 games. That win put the Canes' into 6th place in the Eastern Conference, just two points back of the Broncos and 5 behind rival Medicine Hat.
Lethbridge is playing much better hockey in the past week. The Power play has been a huge reason for the Hurricanes renewed success. They've scored 2 or more power play goals in each of the past 4 games. With the addition of Kyle Beach and now Zach Boychuk back, it gives the Canes' a whole new dynamic on the man advantage. They're moving the puck around with more authority and confidence. Maybe more so than we've seen all season. Boychuk played his first game back last night after being away for a month at the world juniors. It looked like maybe his ankle isn't 100% yet, but like Assistant Coach Matt Kabayama said on our post-game show last night, even a Zach Boychuk not 100% is still a factor in a hockey game.
Tonight the Canes' play Saskatoon for the 3rd time this season and 2nd in Lethbridge. The Blades continue to roll. They blanked the Tigers 5-0 in Medicine Hat last night and are 6-2-1-1 in their past 10 games. The Blades won the last meeting, 3-0 in Saskatoon back on New Year's Day. The two teams will play once more in Saskatoon near the end of the regular season in March. The Blades will no doubt see a different looking Lethbridge team than back on the 1st of the month. Tonight's game is also the 4th in 5 days for the Canes'. Carter Bancks and Eric Mestery both sat last night's game out with undisclosed injuries. They're both day-to-day.
Next Week, Lethbridge will host Medicine Hat Wednesday, Prince George pays a visit Friday and then next Saturday it's off for a short trip to Red Deer.
Tonight's game versus Saskatoon is a 7pm start. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
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.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Friday, 16 January 2009
BIG Comeback Win...vs. Swift Current Tonight
What a comeback by the Hurricanes Wednesday night in Prince Albert!
I can honestly say it's been a long time since I've seen a team score two goals in the final minute of a game with the goalie pulled to tie a hockey game and then eventually go and win in either overtime or a shootout, but that's exactly what happened for the Canes in PA the other night. The Raiders had a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd period and were out shooting Lethbridge as well after 40 minutes. For the second time in the past 3 games, something took over the Hurricanes heading in the 3rd period. The Canes' battled back to make it 2-1 PA, but the Raiders would score a goal with under 3 minutes remaining in regulation to go up 3-1. One would think things weren't looking too good for the Hurricanes given the fact they were down 3-1 with one minute remaining in the 3rd. Que the comeback! Cam Braes scores on a power play with 28 seconds left and Metsola at the bench. After the draw at centre ice, Lethbridge gets control, sends Metsola off for an extra attacker and low and behold sniper Kyle Beach would do it again, this time scoring with 4.1 seconds remaining on the clock. The overtime solved nothing, but given the huge momentum swing, you could feel the Hurricanes were going to pull this one out in a shootout. Kyle Beach and Colton Sceviour each scored to give the Hurricanes a 4-3 win and a huge confidence booster for the team. Here's the game tying goal by Kyle Beach: http://www.box.net/shared/ocmcvq57jn
It's a game like that which builds character. A comeback like that which brings back that belief of winning and team closeness. It was the kind of win that can turn around a season for a hockey team. Perhaps for the Hurricanes that's what will happen. After 9 games without a win, the Canes' have taken 5 out of a possible 6 points in their last 3 games.
Carter Bancks and Eric Mestery both sat Wednesday's game out with undisclosed ailments. Their status for tonight's game versus Swift Current isn't known. It's also hoped Zach Boychuk will be back this weekend at some point. That all depends on whether his ankle feels good enough to play. Carter Ashton should be back this evening from the Top Prospects game.
This will be the 3rd meeting of the year between Hurricanes and Broncos. Swift Current won the last game 6-0 a few weeks ago. That was part of the stretch for Lethbridge playing with a shortened bench. The Canes' will be looking to rebound from that loss and get two points against another team they're trying to chase down here in the standings. This is another one of those so-called 4-point games here tonight.
Kyle Beach has been nothing short of fantastic since being acquired at the trade deadline. He's scored 5 goals and added 2 assists in just 4 games. Every goal he's scored has come at a very opportune time for the Canes' who seem to be showing more confidence in the past week. Another thing we saw after that win in PA was that excitement of winning. Head Coach Michael Dyck and Assistant Matt Kabayama nearly jumped off the bench with excitement when the Canes' scored in the shootout. I think everyone on the Hurricanes bench felt that energy too! It was great to see.
Tonight's game versus Swift Current is a 7 o'clock start from the Enmax Centre. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. Saskatoon pays a visit to Lethbridge tomorrow.
I can honestly say it's been a long time since I've seen a team score two goals in the final minute of a game with the goalie pulled to tie a hockey game and then eventually go and win in either overtime or a shootout, but that's exactly what happened for the Canes in PA the other night. The Raiders had a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd period and were out shooting Lethbridge as well after 40 minutes. For the second time in the past 3 games, something took over the Hurricanes heading in the 3rd period. The Canes' battled back to make it 2-1 PA, but the Raiders would score a goal with under 3 minutes remaining in regulation to go up 3-1. One would think things weren't looking too good for the Hurricanes given the fact they were down 3-1 with one minute remaining in the 3rd. Que the comeback! Cam Braes scores on a power play with 28 seconds left and Metsola at the bench. After the draw at centre ice, Lethbridge gets control, sends Metsola off for an extra attacker and low and behold sniper Kyle Beach would do it again, this time scoring with 4.1 seconds remaining on the clock. The overtime solved nothing, but given the huge momentum swing, you could feel the Hurricanes were going to pull this one out in a shootout. Kyle Beach and Colton Sceviour each scored to give the Hurricanes a 4-3 win and a huge confidence booster for the team. Here's the game tying goal by Kyle Beach: http://www.box.net/shared/ocmcvq57jn
It's a game like that which builds character. A comeback like that which brings back that belief of winning and team closeness. It was the kind of win that can turn around a season for a hockey team. Perhaps for the Hurricanes that's what will happen. After 9 games without a win, the Canes' have taken 5 out of a possible 6 points in their last 3 games.
Carter Bancks and Eric Mestery both sat Wednesday's game out with undisclosed ailments. Their status for tonight's game versus Swift Current isn't known. It's also hoped Zach Boychuk will be back this weekend at some point. That all depends on whether his ankle feels good enough to play. Carter Ashton should be back this evening from the Top Prospects game.
This will be the 3rd meeting of the year between Hurricanes and Broncos. Swift Current won the last game 6-0 a few weeks ago. That was part of the stretch for Lethbridge playing with a shortened bench. The Canes' will be looking to rebound from that loss and get two points against another team they're trying to chase down here in the standings. This is another one of those so-called 4-point games here tonight.
Kyle Beach has been nothing short of fantastic since being acquired at the trade deadline. He's scored 5 goals and added 2 assists in just 4 games. Every goal he's scored has come at a very opportune time for the Canes' who seem to be showing more confidence in the past week. Another thing we saw after that win in PA was that excitement of winning. Head Coach Michael Dyck and Assistant Matt Kabayama nearly jumped off the bench with excitement when the Canes' scored in the shootout. I think everyone on the Hurricanes bench felt that energy too! It was great to see.
Tonight's game versus Swift Current is a 7 o'clock start from the Enmax Centre. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. Saskatoon pays a visit to Lethbridge tomorrow.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Canes Win! Next Up @ PA Tonight
Hi From Prince Albert!
Well, the Hurricanes used a solid performance from newcomer Kyle Beach and backstopped by rookie goaltender Michael Tadjdeh as they beat the Warriors 6-2 in Moose Jaw last night. It was the Canes' first win since December 16th and I think just what the doctor ordered with this team. Lethbridge started out strong scoring early in the 1st. The Warriors would tie things up, but the Hurricanes would end up taking a 2-1 lead into the dressing room after one. After what was kind of a scrambley period of hockey, the Hurricanes started to take over in the 2nd. They scored one more to go up 3-1 after 40 minutes and then potted 3 more in the 3rd and eventually won the game 6-2. Beach led the way with two goals.
There were a lot of good things for the Canes' to take out of last night's game. It was a rebound game for Michael Tadjdeh in goal, Beach showed why he is as good as he is with the puck, Austin Fyten had a Gordie Howe Hatrick (1 goal, 1 assist, and a fight), Garrett Taylor scored again, and most important the team got that taste of victory again! I think that was the most important.
The win move the Hurricanes back to the .500 mark and tied now with Regina and only one point back of PA, Edmonton, and Kootenay. This game this evening is a biggy!
This will be the last regular season meeting between Lethbridge and Prince Albert this season. The Raiders have won the past two games. This will also be the 3rd time these hockey clubs have faced each other in a week and a half. Prince Albert is no doubt playing it's best hockey of the year right now. They are 8 and 2 in their past 10 games. The Canes' need this one tonight to leapfrog past the Raiders and even the season series up at two, not to mention build on last night's win in Moose Jaw.
After tonight, the Hurricanes will head home for a while. They host Swift Current Friday and Saskatoon Saturday. They only play twice more on the road this month and that'll be two games in Red Deer, both on the last two Saturday's of the month.
Tonight's game in PA is a 6:30 start. The pregame show on CJOC at 6.
Well, the Hurricanes used a solid performance from newcomer Kyle Beach and backstopped by rookie goaltender Michael Tadjdeh as they beat the Warriors 6-2 in Moose Jaw last night. It was the Canes' first win since December 16th and I think just what the doctor ordered with this team. Lethbridge started out strong scoring early in the 1st. The Warriors would tie things up, but the Hurricanes would end up taking a 2-1 lead into the dressing room after one. After what was kind of a scrambley period of hockey, the Hurricanes started to take over in the 2nd. They scored one more to go up 3-1 after 40 minutes and then potted 3 more in the 3rd and eventually won the game 6-2. Beach led the way with two goals.
There were a lot of good things for the Canes' to take out of last night's game. It was a rebound game for Michael Tadjdeh in goal, Beach showed why he is as good as he is with the puck, Austin Fyten had a Gordie Howe Hatrick (1 goal, 1 assist, and a fight), Garrett Taylor scored again, and most important the team got that taste of victory again! I think that was the most important.
The win move the Hurricanes back to the .500 mark and tied now with Regina and only one point back of PA, Edmonton, and Kootenay. This game this evening is a biggy!
This will be the last regular season meeting between Lethbridge and Prince Albert this season. The Raiders have won the past two games. This will also be the 3rd time these hockey clubs have faced each other in a week and a half. Prince Albert is no doubt playing it's best hockey of the year right now. They are 8 and 2 in their past 10 games. The Canes' need this one tonight to leapfrog past the Raiders and even the season series up at two, not to mention build on last night's win in Moose Jaw.
After tonight, the Hurricanes will head home for a while. They host Swift Current Friday and Saskatoon Saturday. They only play twice more on the road this month and that'll be two games in Red Deer, both on the last two Saturday's of the month.
Tonight's game in PA is a 6:30 start. The pregame show on CJOC at 6.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Two Canes' Ranked by NHL Central Scouting
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes are proud to announce 91-born forward Carter Ashton and 91-born defenseman Brennan Yadlowski have both been ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Service’s Mid-Term Rankings for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to be held this June. Ashton, the Hurricanes 1st round pick (7th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft has been ranked 10th among North American skaters while Yadlowski has been ranked 153rd.
Ashton, finished his rookie season in 2007-2008 with nine points (5G, 4A) in 40 WHL games. Thus far in 08-09, Ashton has a team leading 21 goals in 39 games for a total of 34 points (21G, 13A) and a plus minus rating of plus-13. Ashton also leads the Canes with five power play goals and five game winners in 08-09. He will also participate in the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Oshawa, Ontario this week. The rosters, which are selected by the 30 NHL General Managers and NHL Central Scouting, include a total of 15 WHL prospects.
Yadlowski had a solid rookie campaign in 07-08 and has logged good minutes in the Hurricanes top four this season. He was a fifth round pick and the first defenseman chosen by the Hurricanes in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft (97th overall). In 2008-2009, Yadlowski has been a consistent contributor to a developing Hurricanes defense. The youngster has notched eight points (1G, 7A) including his first WHL goal.
Both Ashton and Yadlowski hail from excellent hockey lineage as Ashton is the son of former NHL journeyman Brent Ashton. While Yadlowski is the son of Warren Yadlowski, who played for the Calgary Wranglers prior to the team moving to Lethbridge to become the Hurricanes. Yadlowski’s brother Austin is a Hurricane’s draft pick selected by the Canes in the tenth round (216th overall) of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
Both players have seen success in the Hockey Canada “Program of Excellence” as both Yadlowski and Ashton competed in the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in London, ON as members of Team Pacific and Team Western respectively. Ashton walked away with a bronze medal as a member of Team Western. Most recently, Ashton was selected as a member of the National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic. Ashton scored the game winning goal in the final to give Team Canada their fourth gold medal in their last five years at this tournament.
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft is scheduled to be held in June of 2009 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC
Ashton, finished his rookie season in 2007-2008 with nine points (5G, 4A) in 40 WHL games. Thus far in 08-09, Ashton has a team leading 21 goals in 39 games for a total of 34 points (21G, 13A) and a plus minus rating of plus-13. Ashton also leads the Canes with five power play goals and five game winners in 08-09. He will also participate in the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Oshawa, Ontario this week. The rosters, which are selected by the 30 NHL General Managers and NHL Central Scouting, include a total of 15 WHL prospects.
Yadlowski had a solid rookie campaign in 07-08 and has logged good minutes in the Hurricanes top four this season. He was a fifth round pick and the first defenseman chosen by the Hurricanes in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft (97th overall). In 2008-2009, Yadlowski has been a consistent contributor to a developing Hurricanes defense. The youngster has notched eight points (1G, 7A) including his first WHL goal.
Both Ashton and Yadlowski hail from excellent hockey lineage as Ashton is the son of former NHL journeyman Brent Ashton. While Yadlowski is the son of Warren Yadlowski, who played for the Calgary Wranglers prior to the team moving to Lethbridge to become the Hurricanes. Yadlowski’s brother Austin is a Hurricane’s draft pick selected by the Canes in the tenth round (216th overall) of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
Both players have seen success in the Hockey Canada “Program of Excellence” as both Yadlowski and Ashton competed in the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in London, ON as members of Team Pacific and Team Western respectively. Ashton walked away with a bronze medal as a member of Team Western. Most recently, Ashton was selected as a member of the National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic. Ashton scored the game winning goal in the final to give Team Canada their fourth gold medal in their last five years at this tournament.
The 2009 NHL Entry Draft is scheduled to be held in June of 2009 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC
Lethbridge @ Moose Jaw Tonight
Hello from Moose Jaw!
The Hurricanes arrived last night around 10 o'clock after practicing at home Monday afternoon before hitting the road for a couple of games here in Saskatchewan today and tomorrow. Lethbridge enters play tonight one game below .500 and in 10th spot in the WHL's Eastern Conference, two points back of Regina and three points behind Kootenay, Edmonton, and Prince Albert. The Canes' are looking to use a 3rd period comeback the other night at home versus Vancouver as a stepping stone to getting out of this mid-season slump which has saw the team loose 9 in a row (7 in regulation, 1 in O-T and 1 in a shootout). The Hurricanes have been struggling, but if they can put the same kind of effort in tonight that we saw in the final 20 minutes this past Saturday, the Hurricanes could cause the Warriors fits.
Moose Jaw won the last meeting between these two teams, but since last week's trading deadline this is a vastly different looking Warriors club. The team traded away some key assets in Joel Broda, Ian Duval, and Riley Grantham. There's a tonne of talent in those 3 players. It's pretty clear given the Warriors spot in the Eastern Standings, it only made sense for the team to trade it's commodities and build for next year. Moose Jaw sits at 14-27-1-1 so far on the season.
The Hurricanes will be without the services of Carter Ashton and Zach Boyhcuk on this quick two game trip into Saskatchewan. Ashton is off at the Top Prospects game in Ontario and Boychuk is being given a couple of more days to rest his ankle which he hurt at the World Juniors. Both players will likely return on the weekend when the Canes' host Swift Current (Friday) and Saskatoon (Saturday). Defenceman Max Ross could make his return either tonight or tomorrow. He's been out now well over a month with a knee injury. He's been practicing the past week and looks to be ready to get back into the swing of things.
Tonight's game from Moose Jaw is a 6:00 start Alberta time. The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30.
Ice Chips:
Former Hurricane Mike Wuchteral is returning to Lethbridge to play for the U of L Pronghorns. He was a fan favourite wearing a Hurricanes uniform last season and a big part of the Canes' run to the WHL final. I guess it again shows just how much "Wucks" loves Lethbridge and how he again wants to be part of the community. Good luck at the U of L! Right now the Horns' are ranked 9th in the CIS Men's hockey standings.
One last note, the Philadelphia Daily News is reporting Luca Sbisa could be returned to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Because of salary cap issues and the return of some of Philly's injured defenceman, Sbisa could be sent back to the Canes'. I guess we'll have to wait and see how that all plays out!
The Hurricanes arrived last night around 10 o'clock after practicing at home Monday afternoon before hitting the road for a couple of games here in Saskatchewan today and tomorrow. Lethbridge enters play tonight one game below .500 and in 10th spot in the WHL's Eastern Conference, two points back of Regina and three points behind Kootenay, Edmonton, and Prince Albert. The Canes' are looking to use a 3rd period comeback the other night at home versus Vancouver as a stepping stone to getting out of this mid-season slump which has saw the team loose 9 in a row (7 in regulation, 1 in O-T and 1 in a shootout). The Hurricanes have been struggling, but if they can put the same kind of effort in tonight that we saw in the final 20 minutes this past Saturday, the Hurricanes could cause the Warriors fits.
Moose Jaw won the last meeting between these two teams, but since last week's trading deadline this is a vastly different looking Warriors club. The team traded away some key assets in Joel Broda, Ian Duval, and Riley Grantham. There's a tonne of talent in those 3 players. It's pretty clear given the Warriors spot in the Eastern Standings, it only made sense for the team to trade it's commodities and build for next year. Moose Jaw sits at 14-27-1-1 so far on the season.
The Hurricanes will be without the services of Carter Ashton and Zach Boyhcuk on this quick two game trip into Saskatchewan. Ashton is off at the Top Prospects game in Ontario and Boychuk is being given a couple of more days to rest his ankle which he hurt at the World Juniors. Both players will likely return on the weekend when the Canes' host Swift Current (Friday) and Saskatoon (Saturday). Defenceman Max Ross could make his return either tonight or tomorrow. He's been out now well over a month with a knee injury. He's been practicing the past week and looks to be ready to get back into the swing of things.
Tonight's game from Moose Jaw is a 6:00 start Alberta time. The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30.
Ice Chips:
Former Hurricane Mike Wuchteral is returning to Lethbridge to play for the U of L Pronghorns. He was a fan favourite wearing a Hurricanes uniform last season and a big part of the Canes' run to the WHL final. I guess it again shows just how much "Wucks" loves Lethbridge and how he again wants to be part of the community. Good luck at the U of L! Right now the Horns' are ranked 9th in the CIS Men's hockey standings.
One last note, the Philadelphia Daily News is reporting Luca Sbisa could be returned to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Because of salary cap issues and the return of some of Philly's injured defenceman, Sbisa could be sent back to the Canes'. I guess we'll have to wait and see how that all plays out!
Monday, 12 January 2009
Canes' on the Road for a Pair
The Lethbridge Hurricanes will be leaving today for a quick two game stint in Saskatchewan before returning home to play two more Saskatchewan teams at the Enmax Centre this weekend. The Canes' have lost 9 games in row, including a 5-4 overtime loss the other night versus Vancouver. Lethbridge had a very spirited comeback against the Giants in the 3rd period Saturday, scoring 3 times to tie it. Two of those goals were scored by newcomer Kyle Beach. It maybe something this Lethbridge team can use as a rallying point to get out of this slump which started with a shootout loss in Brandon back on December 17th. The Hurricanes have a load of fire power, they just need to get this put together. They don't have a lot of time either. With only 28 games remaining in the regular season, the Canes' find themselves 3 points out of a playoff spot. This week is extremely important for the Hurricanes. They're in Moose Jaw tomorrow and PA Wednesday. Then it's back home to face Swift Current and Saskatoon Friday and Saturday. If the Hurricanes are going to get back in the race in the East, it needs to start this week. I'm not trying to be negative here, it's obvious the team is struggling. What they need right now is to taste victory again...get that feel of winning back and a boost of confidence. Like a losing skid can snowball, so can a winning streak. This team was playing very well from mid-November to mid-December and had won 7 straight. Who says it can't happen again?
"Hurricanes This Week" is back on the air on CJOC tonight at 7. We'll have an interview with Zach Boychuk and we'll talk with Les Lazaruk, the radio voice of the Saskatoon Blades. Tonight's show was pre-recorded so we're unable to take calls or e-mails this evening. The reason being Dick and I are travelling with the team to Moose Jaw this afternoon, we had to pre-tape today's show on Sunday. We'll resume a live show next Monday the 19th with a Hurricanes Media Panel.
"Hurricanes This Week" is back on the air on CJOC tonight at 7. We'll have an interview with Zach Boychuk and we'll talk with Les Lazaruk, the radio voice of the Saskatoon Blades. Tonight's show was pre-recorded so we're unable to take calls or e-mails this evening. The reason being Dick and I are travelling with the team to Moose Jaw this afternoon, we had to pre-tape today's show on Sunday. We'll resume a live show next Monday the 19th with a Hurricanes Media Panel.
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