A solid effort by the Hurricanes last night at home despite a 3-2 overtime loss to the Calgary Hitmen.
One of my keys to last night's game for Lethbridge were the 3 E's.....Energy, Excitement, and Edge and I think the Canes played with all three. Juha Metsola was outstanding for the Hurricanes in goal as the Canes' were out shot 49-25. He helped secure a single point for Lethbridge is the race for playoff positioning in what has become a pretty clogged up Eastern Conference. Zach Boychuk I thought had a very good game for the Canes' as well. He scored once added one assist and also led the charge offensively with some impressive moves and scoring chances. That's the Zach Boychuk the fans want to see game in and game out going down the stretch. He definately added that element of excitement as the packed house at the Enmax Centre was into the game right from the start. I think the fans really appreciated the effort by the Canes' last night too! The other Lethbridge goal was scored by Carter Ashton on the power play early in the 2nd period. Give the Hitmen credit. They are an extremely good squad that pounds away at you every shift. They recorded their 43rd win in 53 games last night. They will no question be a force to be reckoned with heading in the post-season.
It was also nice to see a few more bodies in the line-up for the Hurricanes. Craig Orfino came back from suspension, while Mitch Versteeg returned on defence after missing a couple of games with injury. The Canes' back end has been a bit short the past few games with Versteeg out of the line-up. I think his addition back last night helped take some minutes off Ben Wright, Brennan Yadlowski, and Max Ross, who all have lugged a tonne of ice time over the past few games. In fact, one the people that keeps stats for Lethbridge up in the media area told me before the game last night that he had a stop watch on Ben Wright in the Regina game on Wednesday and that he played nearly 36 minutes in that one game alone.
Tonight the Canes' head back up to Red Deer for the 2nd time in a week. The Hurricanes lost 5-3 there last week and will try and get back at the Rebels in this one. Lethbridge also hopes to build on last night's effort versus Calgary. The Hurricanes are now on the road for the next 5 games and won't play another home game until February 13th.
Lethbridge has 19 games to go in the regular season including tonight's game in Red Deer. Brad Robson, the Canes' acting assistant coach said last night on our post game show that he'd like to see the team win 14 or 15 of their remaining games. As it sits now, the Canes' sit in 7th spot in the conference, two points back of Kootenay, 3 back of Swift Current, and 3 points ahead of both Regina and Prince Albert.
Tonight's game is a 7:30 start. The pre-game show on CJOC at 7.
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, 31 January 2009
Friday, 30 January 2009
Hurricanes vs. Hitmen Tonight
The Lethbridge Hurricanes will be put to the test this evening as they play host to one of the top teams in all of major junior hockey, the Calgary Hitmen.
The Hurricanes are coming off a 3-2 loss Wednesday night at home to Regina. The Canes' have dropped their past 2 games and are looking to get back on track against a team that has lost only 7 games in regulation this season, 10 in total. The Hitmen have 42 wins in 52 games played. That's second best in the Canadian Hockey League. Only the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL have less losses in regulation than Calgary.
This will no doubt be a challenge for Lethbridge, but one I'm sure the team welcomes. In fact, talking with Carter Bancks in the Greer Home Builders CJOC post game show Wednesday, he told me the team is excited to take on one of the best in the country. This is one of those game too to see how you measure up against the best. This is also one of those games that everyone... players, coaches, and fans get up for. Let's not forget, it's been nearly 2 months since these two teams have played. Since then, Calgary has continued to roll. The Hitmen have one of the best power plays and penalty kills in the WHL right now. The Canes' will have to be a disciplined team tonight, stay out of the box, and try and play physical. When the Hurricanes take the body, that's when it seems they excel.
Just like the Vancouver game a few weeks ago, the Canes' can use this game to jump start the offence again. Craig Orfino will be back after serving a 3 game suspension. The rest of the line-up should be similar to Wednesday.
This should be a good game to watch too. There's always an added excitement when one of the best teams pays a visit, not to mention one of your rivals! Calgary was supposed to be in a rebuilding year, well some rebuilding it's been. This Hitmen team is solid from top to bottom. The Canes' will have to play a simple game tonight, not do anything fancy, but at the same time capitalize on their chances. Like Vancouver, the Hitmen don't give their opponents much to work with.
Should be a fun one tonight! Game time from the Enmax Centre is 7pm. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
The Hurricanes are coming off a 3-2 loss Wednesday night at home to Regina. The Canes' have dropped their past 2 games and are looking to get back on track against a team that has lost only 7 games in regulation this season, 10 in total. The Hitmen have 42 wins in 52 games played. That's second best in the Canadian Hockey League. Only the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL have less losses in regulation than Calgary.
This will no doubt be a challenge for Lethbridge, but one I'm sure the team welcomes. In fact, talking with Carter Bancks in the Greer Home Builders CJOC post game show Wednesday, he told me the team is excited to take on one of the best in the country. This is one of those game too to see how you measure up against the best. This is also one of those games that everyone... players, coaches, and fans get up for. Let's not forget, it's been nearly 2 months since these two teams have played. Since then, Calgary has continued to roll. The Hitmen have one of the best power plays and penalty kills in the WHL right now. The Canes' will have to be a disciplined team tonight, stay out of the box, and try and play physical. When the Hurricanes take the body, that's when it seems they excel.
Just like the Vancouver game a few weeks ago, the Canes' can use this game to jump start the offence again. Craig Orfino will be back after serving a 3 game suspension. The rest of the line-up should be similar to Wednesday.
This should be a good game to watch too. There's always an added excitement when one of the best teams pays a visit, not to mention one of your rivals! Calgary was supposed to be in a rebuilding year, well some rebuilding it's been. This Hitmen team is solid from top to bottom. The Canes' will have to play a simple game tonight, not do anything fancy, but at the same time capitalize on their chances. Like Vancouver, the Hitmen don't give their opponents much to work with.
Should be a fun one tonight! Game time from the Enmax Centre is 7pm. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Canes' Drop 3-2 Decision to Pats
It was a slow first period that proved to be the difference in last night's game for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Regina scored twice in a span of 31 seconds in the first period and out shot the Canes' 19-6 en route to a 3-2 win over Lethbridge. After the opening 20 minutes the Hurricanes picked up their game and came back in the 3rd scoring two times late, but that would be as close as they would get. The winning goal was one I think Juha Metsola would love to have back. Pats defenceman Jesse Dudas scored on the power play with kind of knuckleballer from centre ice beating the Canes' goalie. That made it 3-0 for Regina at that point. It's too bad a goal like that decided the game, but I guess they all count. kudos to the Regina penalty kill. They killed off 8 of 9 Lethbridge power plays last night. That was a factor in the game too. With the loss, Lethbridge is now just two points up on Regina in the Eastern Conference standings with 20 games to go in the regular season. 7 of those games are at home and 13 on the road.
We should see Craig Orfino back in the line-up tomorrow when Lethbridge plays host to Calgary. He's finished serving his 3 game suspension after last night. Kyle Beach, Dwight King, and Head Coach Michael Dyck each have two games remaining in their suspensions and won't return until the Hurricanes play in Portland next Wednesday.
Zach Boychuk made his return to the Lethbridge line-up last night and scored once for the Canes'. Colton Sceviour had the other. Mitch Versteeg is still day-to-day with an injury and Eric Mestery is still the same with a concussion. Hopefully, by the middle of next week on that U.S. road swing, the Canes' will be close to having a full roster for the first time in a very long while! (Touch wood, cross fingers!)
Regina scored twice in a span of 31 seconds in the first period and out shot the Canes' 19-6 en route to a 3-2 win over Lethbridge. After the opening 20 minutes the Hurricanes picked up their game and came back in the 3rd scoring two times late, but that would be as close as they would get. The winning goal was one I think Juha Metsola would love to have back. Pats defenceman Jesse Dudas scored on the power play with kind of knuckleballer from centre ice beating the Canes' goalie. That made it 3-0 for Regina at that point. It's too bad a goal like that decided the game, but I guess they all count. kudos to the Regina penalty kill. They killed off 8 of 9 Lethbridge power plays last night. That was a factor in the game too. With the loss, Lethbridge is now just two points up on Regina in the Eastern Conference standings with 20 games to go in the regular season. 7 of those games are at home and 13 on the road.
We should see Craig Orfino back in the line-up tomorrow when Lethbridge plays host to Calgary. He's finished serving his 3 game suspension after last night. Kyle Beach, Dwight King, and Head Coach Michael Dyck each have two games remaining in their suspensions and won't return until the Hurricanes play in Portland next Wednesday.
Zach Boychuk made his return to the Lethbridge line-up last night and scored once for the Canes'. Colton Sceviour had the other. Mitch Versteeg is still day-to-day with an injury and Eric Mestery is still the same with a concussion. Hopefully, by the middle of next week on that U.S. road swing, the Canes' will be close to having a full roster for the first time in a very long while! (Touch wood, cross fingers!)
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Canes' Host Regina Tonight..Kyle Beach Suspended 3 Games
The Hurricanes host the Regina Pats tonight at the Enmax Centre.
The Canes' have been playing good hockey since the WHL trade deadline earlier this month, but are coming off a 5-3 loss in Red Deer last Saturday. Lethbridge will still be without the services of Dwight King and Craig Orfino who are still out serving suspensions, while Zach Boychuk could make his return to the line-up as early as tonight. Another Hurricane is facing suspension. A suspension has been handed down to Kyle Beach in regards to what the WHL's website stated was "actions at the conclusion of the Hurricanes game in Red Deer January 24". Beach cleared the puck over the glass as time expired in that game. I didn't notice if it hit anyone in the stands, given the location of our broadcast spot in the Red Deer arena. Late this morning I was notified Beach has been given 3 games by the league and won't return till the Hurricanes play in Portland next week.
This will be the 3rd meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Pats. Lethbridge has won both previous meetings. The Pats are coming off a 7-3 loss in Kootenay last night and are 3-6-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Canes' lead Regina by 4 points in the Eastern Conference standings, so again this is another one of those so-called 4 point games. Lethbridge can put some more breathing space between themselves and the Pats with a win here tonight. The two teams will meet again in Regina March 1st.
The Hurricanes are 3 games above the .500 mark heading into action tonight and are 5-3-2-0 in their last 10. After tonight, Calgary is in Lethbridge Friday and then it's back up to Red Deer Saturday. Next week the Canes' will be on the road down in the U.S.
Tonight's game on CJOC is at 7. The pre-game show at 6:30.
The Canes' have been playing good hockey since the WHL trade deadline earlier this month, but are coming off a 5-3 loss in Red Deer last Saturday. Lethbridge will still be without the services of Dwight King and Craig Orfino who are still out serving suspensions, while Zach Boychuk could make his return to the line-up as early as tonight. Another Hurricane is facing suspension. A suspension has been handed down to Kyle Beach in regards to what the WHL's website stated was "actions at the conclusion of the Hurricanes game in Red Deer January 24". Beach cleared the puck over the glass as time expired in that game. I didn't notice if it hit anyone in the stands, given the location of our broadcast spot in the Red Deer arena. Late this morning I was notified Beach has been given 3 games by the league and won't return till the Hurricanes play in Portland next week.
This will be the 3rd meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Pats. Lethbridge has won both previous meetings. The Pats are coming off a 7-3 loss in Kootenay last night and are 3-6-0-1 in their last 10 games. The Canes' lead Regina by 4 points in the Eastern Conference standings, so again this is another one of those so-called 4 point games. Lethbridge can put some more breathing space between themselves and the Pats with a win here tonight. The two teams will meet again in Regina March 1st.
The Hurricanes are 3 games above the .500 mark heading into action tonight and are 5-3-2-0 in their last 10. After tonight, Calgary is in Lethbridge Friday and then it's back up to Red Deer Saturday. Next week the Canes' will be on the road down in the U.S.
Tonight's game on CJOC is at 7. The pre-game show at 6:30.
Monday, 26 January 2009
Busy Week for Hurricanes...."Hurricanes This Week" Tonight
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are coming off a 5-3 loss in Red Deer Saturday.
The game was won for the Rebels and lost for the Hurricanes in the 2nd period. After a 1-1 tie following 20 minutes, Red Deer came out a determined bunch, outshooting Lethbridge 19-5 in that middle frame, not to mention scoring 3 goals to take a 4-1 lead in the 3rd. The Hurricanes would get two more, but that would be as close as they would get. Kudos to the Rebels for a great 2nd period. The Hurricanes had a very good outing from Carter Bancks and Kyle Beach despite the loss. Bancks had a 3 point night (2G, 1A) and Beach two points (2A). The Canes' also played with a short defensive corps. They rotated 4-defencemen all game. Eric Mestery and Mitch Verstegg have been scratched the past couple of games with injury. Zach Boychuk (ankle) is still day-to-day and could return this week. Craig Orfino and Dwight King are serving suspensions.
Going into this week, the Canes' sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, one point back of Swift Current, 6 back of Medicine Hat and one point up on Kootenay. This is another busy week for the Canes with 3 games in 4 nights again. Wednesday, the Hurricanes have a big game versus Regina at the Enmax Centre. Friday, the high flying Calgary Hitmen pay a visit and then Saturday it's back on the road to Red Deer. Next week, the Hurricanes will head out on their U.S. swing which will take them to Portland, Seattle, Everett, and Tri-City.
There's been a lot of talk about the possible return of Luca Sbisa to the Canes' line-up. I can tell you at the moment I'm writing this that I have not received any official release from the Hurricanes nor have I read anything from the Philadelphia Flyers about Sbisa's return. Until then, it's the status quo. Luca's name has been on the Hurricanes roster all season, but he has yet to make an official return to the team amid all the speculation. There's always been the chance he could return right from the day one and that remains the same, but right now he's not in Lethbridge. His name was not on the game sheets given to the media in the Canes' past two games against PG and Red Deer.
Tonight, "Hurricanes This Week" is back on. Canes' GM Roy Stasiuk will join me at 7pm tonight on CJOC to take your clls and emails.
I've also had a number of calls and emails regarding Dick Gibson not being on the Canes' broadcast any longer. Any questions and comments regarding this can be directed to radio station management. I would like to thank Dick and wish all the best in the future.
The game was won for the Rebels and lost for the Hurricanes in the 2nd period. After a 1-1 tie following 20 minutes, Red Deer came out a determined bunch, outshooting Lethbridge 19-5 in that middle frame, not to mention scoring 3 goals to take a 4-1 lead in the 3rd. The Hurricanes would get two more, but that would be as close as they would get. Kudos to the Rebels for a great 2nd period. The Hurricanes had a very good outing from Carter Bancks and Kyle Beach despite the loss. Bancks had a 3 point night (2G, 1A) and Beach two points (2A). The Canes' also played with a short defensive corps. They rotated 4-defencemen all game. Eric Mestery and Mitch Verstegg have been scratched the past couple of games with injury. Zach Boychuk (ankle) is still day-to-day and could return this week. Craig Orfino and Dwight King are serving suspensions.
Going into this week, the Canes' sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, one point back of Swift Current, 6 back of Medicine Hat and one point up on Kootenay. This is another busy week for the Canes with 3 games in 4 nights again. Wednesday, the Hurricanes have a big game versus Regina at the Enmax Centre. Friday, the high flying Calgary Hitmen pay a visit and then Saturday it's back on the road to Red Deer. Next week, the Hurricanes will head out on their U.S. swing which will take them to Portland, Seattle, Everett, and Tri-City.
There's been a lot of talk about the possible return of Luca Sbisa to the Canes' line-up. I can tell you at the moment I'm writing this that I have not received any official release from the Hurricanes nor have I read anything from the Philadelphia Flyers about Sbisa's return. Until then, it's the status quo. Luca's name has been on the Hurricanes roster all season, but he has yet to make an official return to the team amid all the speculation. There's always been the chance he could return right from the day one and that remains the same, but right now he's not in Lethbridge. His name was not on the game sheets given to the media in the Canes' past two games against PG and Red Deer.
Tonight, "Hurricanes This Week" is back on. Canes' GM Roy Stasiuk will join me at 7pm tonight on CJOC to take your clls and emails.
I've also had a number of calls and emails regarding Dick Gibson not being on the Canes' broadcast any longer. Any questions and comments regarding this can be directed to radio station management. I would like to thank Dick and wish all the best in the future.
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