The Hurricanes moved a step closer to having a shot at 6th place and even 5th place in Eastern Conference standings.
Last night the Canes' dumped the Kootency Ice 4-1 at the Enmax Centre in front of another large crowd. After what was kind of a slow first 5 minutes, the Hurricanes started to come on strong and took a 1-0 lead after the first on a power play goal by Carter Bancks. In the second, Kootenay would tie the game on a 5 on 3 man advantage, but shortly after that Lethbridge would regain the lead when Zach Boychuk rifled a shot upstairs on Ice goaltender Todd Mathews. That was also a short-handed goal giving the Canes' a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes. In the 3rd, the Canes' added two more, one from Dwight King and then a beauty from Boychuk to seal the deal and the final score would be 4-1. Boychuk extended his point scoring streak to 12 consecutive games as the the Hurricanes and Ice get set to do battle again tonight in Cranbrook.
Carter Bancks was the game's first star as well as our hardest working Hurricane. No question deserving of both honours. The shots last night were 30-30 as it was for the most part a wide-open game. Certainly not defensive.
The win puts Lethbridge one point back of Kootenay with 2 games to go for the Canes and one left (tonight) for the Ice. Tonight's game in Cranbrook will for sure settle one thing, 6th place in the Eastern Conference. A Lethbridge win would knock the Ice into 7th and at least give the Hurricanes 6th place and still in the hunt for 5th, but they'll need a bit of help from Calgary on that front. A Kootenay victory and the Canes' would have to settle for 7th and a first round date with Saskatoon, which last night secured 2nd place officially. Brandon gets 3rd and Swift Current 4th. Calgary plays the Tigers in Medicine Hat tonight. If the Tigers win the Hurricanes can do no better than 6th if they beat Kootenay this evening. A Hitmen win in regulation and a Lethbridge win will set up a big game tomorrow on the final day of the regular season. That would be a game for 5th place for the Canes' if, again that all works out. So there are a few things that have to happen, but the key for the Hurricanes is to keep winning. They still, somewhat control their own destiny, at least for the time being.
Tonight's game is a 7 o'clock start from Cranbrook. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. The Ice will give out their regular season awards tonight, so the puck likely won't drop till around 7:15.
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, 14 March 2009
Friday, 13 March 2009
Canes' Host Kootenay Ice
Well, here we go....the final weekend of the WHL's regular season and there's a lot at stake for a few teams, including the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Kootenay Ice.
The Canes' still have a shot at 5th place. They must win their remaining 3 games this weekend and hope that Calgary beats Medicine Hat tomorrow in regulation time. If that works out, then 5th place it is. These two games versus Kootenay are huge for both teams. The Ice lead the Canes' by three points in the standings. A Kootenay win this evening in regulation would make it impossible for Lethbridge to go higher than 7th in the Eastern Conference. I'm sure for the Ice, they have the same plan in mind, to move into 5th place. It should be an exciting weekend nevertheless. The Hurricanes will be playing playoff-like hockey for sure and I wouldn't expect anything less from the Ice. Although Canes' can't control what happens tomorrow between the Tigers and Hitmen, the can take care of things themselves with this mini-series versus the Ice.
I'll give Kootenay some credit here. When they lost Dustin Sylvester with a season-ending injury and then traded away John Negrin and Michael Stickland to Swift Current at the trade deadline, I think a number of people expected the Ice to just fade away. The exact opposite has happened. In fact, I think at times Kootenay has been better since the deadline. This will be no walk in the park for Lethbridge, but I would expect some pretty high tempo hockey tonight and tomorrow in particular.
It's been a long time since these two teams have played. The last meeting was December 27th at the Enmax Centre with the Ice winning that game 6-1. Yes, it's been a while, more than two months to be exact! The Hurricanes are 2 and 2 in the season series so far. The two teams play again tomorrow in Cranbrook.
Before the game tonight, the Hurricanes will honour the memory of Michael Maniago. The Hurricanes will be presenting a cheque for the Michael Maniago Memorial Fund to Michael’s mother, Terri Maniago, prior to the start of tonight's game. Maniago passed away suddenly in late November in a car accident in Calgary.
I'm also pretty excited to be able to have a chance to work with Fred Jack as our new Colour Analyst on Hurricanes broadcasts. After trying out 3 other people for the job, Fred was hired by radio station management. Freddie has a hockey history with colour and play-by-play experience from the BCHL with Trail and coaching midget triple "A" hockey in Sherwood Park as well as running a hockey school there. He's also a local school teacher. He'll provide some good insight on both the game and the Hurricanes! Welcome aboard Freddie!
Ice Chips:
Also, Hurricanes forward Carter Ashton, who leads the team in goals scored this season is listed at number 19 on the TSN mid-season rankings. He's listed at number 28 by International Scouting and number 10 amongst North American skaters for the upcoming NHL draft this June. Possibly another Lethbridge Hurricane going in the first round?? It would be great to see!
Game time from the Enmax Centre tonight is 7 o'clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
The Canes' still have a shot at 5th place. They must win their remaining 3 games this weekend and hope that Calgary beats Medicine Hat tomorrow in regulation time. If that works out, then 5th place it is. These two games versus Kootenay are huge for both teams. The Ice lead the Canes' by three points in the standings. A Kootenay win this evening in regulation would make it impossible for Lethbridge to go higher than 7th in the Eastern Conference. I'm sure for the Ice, they have the same plan in mind, to move into 5th place. It should be an exciting weekend nevertheless. The Hurricanes will be playing playoff-like hockey for sure and I wouldn't expect anything less from the Ice. Although Canes' can't control what happens tomorrow between the Tigers and Hitmen, the can take care of things themselves with this mini-series versus the Ice.
I'll give Kootenay some credit here. When they lost Dustin Sylvester with a season-ending injury and then traded away John Negrin and Michael Stickland to Swift Current at the trade deadline, I think a number of people expected the Ice to just fade away. The exact opposite has happened. In fact, I think at times Kootenay has been better since the deadline. This will be no walk in the park for Lethbridge, but I would expect some pretty high tempo hockey tonight and tomorrow in particular.
It's been a long time since these two teams have played. The last meeting was December 27th at the Enmax Centre with the Ice winning that game 6-1. Yes, it's been a while, more than two months to be exact! The Hurricanes are 2 and 2 in the season series so far. The two teams play again tomorrow in Cranbrook.
Before the game tonight, the Hurricanes will honour the memory of Michael Maniago. The Hurricanes will be presenting a cheque for the Michael Maniago Memorial Fund to Michael’s mother, Terri Maniago, prior to the start of tonight's game. Maniago passed away suddenly in late November in a car accident in Calgary.
I'm also pretty excited to be able to have a chance to work with Fred Jack as our new Colour Analyst on Hurricanes broadcasts. After trying out 3 other people for the job, Fred was hired by radio station management. Freddie has a hockey history with colour and play-by-play experience from the BCHL with Trail and coaching midget triple "A" hockey in Sherwood Park as well as running a hockey school there. He's also a local school teacher. He'll provide some good insight on both the game and the Hurricanes! Welcome aboard Freddie!
Ice Chips:
Also, Hurricanes forward Carter Ashton, who leads the team in goals scored this season is listed at number 19 on the TSN mid-season rankings. He's listed at number 28 by International Scouting and number 10 amongst North American skaters for the upcoming NHL draft this June. Possibly another Lethbridge Hurricane going in the first round?? It would be great to see!
Game time from the Enmax Centre tonight is 7 o'clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
CJOC Hires New Colour Analyst
Clear Sky Radio is pleased to announce the signing of Mr. Fred Jack as the new Colour Commentator of the Lethbridge Hurricanes broadcasts on CJOC-FM “94.1 The Lounge”. Mr. Jack has an extensive sports background including Sports Director at Boundary Kootenay Radio, Play-by-play voice of the Trail Smoke Eaters and Castlegar Rebels, Play-by- Play and Colour Analyst for Shaw Cable as well as Head Coach of the Sherwood Park Midget AAA program.
“Fred’s prior broadcast experience and tremendous knowledge of the game will be a huge asset to our broadcast” says CJOC-FM Program Director Bruce Andrei. “His coaching background in particular will serve him well in the role of colour analyst.” “We are very pleased to be able to secure a colour commentator with Fred’s knowledge and background”, adds CJOC-FM General Manager Casey Wilson. “He will bring a unique perspective to our broadcasts.”
“Im very excited to join the broadcasts on 94.1 The Lounge and look forward to providing colour for a great hockey club like the Lethbridge Hurricanes” says Fred Jack. Fred will join Play-By-Play voice Pat Siedlecki in the broadcast booth this Friday when the Hurricanes take on the Kootenay Ice.
CJOC-FM “94.1 The Lounge” is proud to be the official broadcast voice of The Lethbridge Hurricanes radio broadcasts. The Lounge is locally owned and operated by Clear Sky Radio Inc.
For more information contact:
Casey Wilson, General Manager
CJOC-FM “94.1 The Lounge”
(403) 388-4651
casey@clearskyradio.com
“Fred’s prior broadcast experience and tremendous knowledge of the game will be a huge asset to our broadcast” says CJOC-FM Program Director Bruce Andrei. “His coaching background in particular will serve him well in the role of colour analyst.” “We are very pleased to be able to secure a colour commentator with Fred’s knowledge and background”, adds CJOC-FM General Manager Casey Wilson. “He will bring a unique perspective to our broadcasts.”
“Im very excited to join the broadcasts on 94.1 The Lounge and look forward to providing colour for a great hockey club like the Lethbridge Hurricanes” says Fred Jack. Fred will join Play-By-Play voice Pat Siedlecki in the broadcast booth this Friday when the Hurricanes take on the Kootenay Ice.
CJOC-FM “94.1 The Lounge” is proud to be the official broadcast voice of The Lethbridge Hurricanes radio broadcasts. The Lounge is locally owned and operated by Clear Sky Radio Inc.
For more information contact:
Casey Wilson, General Manager
CJOC-FM “94.1 The Lounge”
(403) 388-4651
casey@clearskyradio.com
Playoff Time Approaching for Canes'
As up and down as this season has been, the Lethbridge Hurricanes will make the playoffs and with a winning record heading into the post-season.
The last time, the Hurricanes made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons was in 2000-2001 when they had a record of 29-35-4-4 for 66 points and in the following year in 2001-2002 when they completed the season at 33-33-6-0 and 72 points.
The last two seasons including this one have been good for this organization, even though this year has been inconsistent. Last year the Canes' had a fantastic season finishing with 96 points and a record of 45-21-2-4 and of course went all the way to the WHL final. So far this year with 3 games to go in the regular season, the Canes' sit at 34-30-3 and 2 for 73 points.
Let's take a look at the positives for a second. This is only the second time in the past 7 seasons that the Hurricanes will make the playoffs in back-to-back years and for the first time in a very long time, the Hurricanes finish back-to-back seasons with more wins than losses heading into the post-season.
As we all know, the playoffs are a whole new ball game and anything can happen in the so-called "new season". I would assume this Hurricanes team, especially the players that were with the club last year feel they have some unfinished business to take care of this year. That should be all the motivation this team needs going into the playoffs.
I think the players are pretty excited for the post-season too. It's a chance to wipe the slate clean, forget about some of those ups and downs and go out there a get the job done!
The last time, the Hurricanes made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons was in 2000-2001 when they had a record of 29-35-4-4 for 66 points and in the following year in 2001-2002 when they completed the season at 33-33-6-0 and 72 points.
The last two seasons including this one have been good for this organization, even though this year has been inconsistent. Last year the Canes' had a fantastic season finishing with 96 points and a record of 45-21-2-4 and of course went all the way to the WHL final. So far this year with 3 games to go in the regular season, the Canes' sit at 34-30-3 and 2 for 73 points.
Let's take a look at the positives for a second. This is only the second time in the past 7 seasons that the Hurricanes will make the playoffs in back-to-back years and for the first time in a very long time, the Hurricanes finish back-to-back seasons with more wins than losses heading into the post-season.
As we all know, the playoffs are a whole new ball game and anything can happen in the so-called "new season". I would assume this Hurricanes team, especially the players that were with the club last year feel they have some unfinished business to take care of this year. That should be all the motivation this team needs going into the playoffs.
I think the players are pretty excited for the post-season too. It's a chance to wipe the slate clean, forget about some of those ups and downs and go out there a get the job done!
Monday, 9 March 2009
Canes' Drop 2-1 Decision in Edmonton
It was a low scoring affair in Edmonton last night as the Hurricanes travelled to the Provincial Capital to take on the Oil Kings.
Lethbridge started out strong in the first 8 or so minutes keeping Edmonton hemmed in it's own zone, but mid-way through the first, the Oil Kings would score on their first power play to take a 1-0 lead after 20-minutes. In the second, The Hurricanes tied it up when Zach Boychuk poked a rebound passed Oil Kings goaltender Torrie Jung. With the game tied at one heading into the final period, Edmonton would get the go ahead goal and eventual game winner with around 7 minutes remaining when Brenden Dowd came out from behind the Canes' goal and put a shot passed Juha Metsola. Despite the loss, Metsola played a solid game between the pipes. He was peppered with 18 shots in the 2nd period alone. Boychuk extended his point scoring streak to 11 straight games. The Oil Kings moved one step closer to solidifying that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a 2-point buffer on Prince Albert with 3 games to go for both of those teams.
You have to give the Oil Kings some credit. They played like a desperate hockey team that needed to win, knowing their playoff lives were at stake. It was a big victory for them. Lethbridge though now slips 3 points back of Kootenay and 4 behind Medicine Hat with 3 games to go. This will be an interesting week to say the least. The Canes' play Kootenay back-to-back Friday and Saturday and then close out the regular season schedule with Calgary.
Lethbridge still has a shot at 5th place, but a few things would have to work out in order for that to happen. Here's one scenario. First, the Hurricanes need to win their final 3 games in regulation. If that happens and Edmonton beats Kootenay on Wednesday in regulation and Medicine Hat splits it's final two games with Red Deer and Calgary at least also in regulation, Lethbridge would get 5th spot. Even though the Tigers and Canes' at that point would be tied in points, the Hurricanes would have more wins, giving them the higher playoff berth. Got it? Good! The Canes' loss in Edmonton last night though, did complicate things a bit more when it comes to 5th place. The key here for the Lethbridge is to win it's remaining games and in regulation time. In a sense, the Hurricanes kind of control their own destiny here. A little help from Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary wouldn't hurt either! Obviously the Canes' can't control what happens in those other games. I suppose anything can happen though. One thing I do know is we'll finally know by this time next week who plays who in the first round!
Tonight on CJOC at 7 o'clock is "Hurricanes This Week". This will be our second last show of the season. Marty Baceda from Global Sports in Lethbridge will co-host with me tonight. Our guest for the entire hour will be Hurricanes GM Roy Stasiuk.
Lethbridge started out strong in the first 8 or so minutes keeping Edmonton hemmed in it's own zone, but mid-way through the first, the Oil Kings would score on their first power play to take a 1-0 lead after 20-minutes. In the second, The Hurricanes tied it up when Zach Boychuk poked a rebound passed Oil Kings goaltender Torrie Jung. With the game tied at one heading into the final period, Edmonton would get the go ahead goal and eventual game winner with around 7 minutes remaining when Brenden Dowd came out from behind the Canes' goal and put a shot passed Juha Metsola. Despite the loss, Metsola played a solid game between the pipes. He was peppered with 18 shots in the 2nd period alone. Boychuk extended his point scoring streak to 11 straight games. The Oil Kings moved one step closer to solidifying that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a 2-point buffer on Prince Albert with 3 games to go for both of those teams.
You have to give the Oil Kings some credit. They played like a desperate hockey team that needed to win, knowing their playoff lives were at stake. It was a big victory for them. Lethbridge though now slips 3 points back of Kootenay and 4 behind Medicine Hat with 3 games to go. This will be an interesting week to say the least. The Canes' play Kootenay back-to-back Friday and Saturday and then close out the regular season schedule with Calgary.
Lethbridge still has a shot at 5th place, but a few things would have to work out in order for that to happen. Here's one scenario. First, the Hurricanes need to win their final 3 games in regulation. If that happens and Edmonton beats Kootenay on Wednesday in regulation and Medicine Hat splits it's final two games with Red Deer and Calgary at least also in regulation, Lethbridge would get 5th spot. Even though the Tigers and Canes' at that point would be tied in points, the Hurricanes would have more wins, giving them the higher playoff berth. Got it? Good! The Canes' loss in Edmonton last night though, did complicate things a bit more when it comes to 5th place. The key here for the Lethbridge is to win it's remaining games and in regulation time. In a sense, the Hurricanes kind of control their own destiny here. A little help from Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary wouldn't hurt either! Obviously the Canes' can't control what happens in those other games. I suppose anything can happen though. One thing I do know is we'll finally know by this time next week who plays who in the first round!
Tonight on CJOC at 7 o'clock is "Hurricanes This Week". This will be our second last show of the season. Marty Baceda from Global Sports in Lethbridge will co-host with me tonight. Our guest for the entire hour will be Hurricanes GM Roy Stasiuk.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Canes' Win in Saskatoon....@ Edmonton Today
Hi from Edmonton. We arrived here about 5:30 Sunday morning after a trip from Saskatoon that saw the bus have to plow through snow drifts on the highway and blowing snow between Lloydminster and Edmonton, but we made it!
A come-from-behind win for the Hurricanes in Saskatoon last night. It was a game that had a sea-saw battle, wide-open first period, a scoreless second, and two goal third by the Canes’ to win it 4-3. The Blades and Hurricanes managed 5 goals total in the opening 20 minutes at the Credit Union Centre. Saskatoon opened the scoring, Lethbridge would tie it and that continued with the Blades taking a 3-2 lead into the dressing room after one. Things tightened up defensively in the middle frame with no scoring to report, but in the 3rd, the Hurricanes would score twice....once to tie it at 3 and then the game winner by Dwight King a few minutes later. Lethbridge battled back 3 times to tie, eventually take the lead and win. After a shaky first period by both teams, it was a very entertaining game in front of a large crowd in Saskatoon. If these two teams happen to meet up in the first round, I would think it would be quite the battle. Kyle Beach, Zach, Boychuk, and Mitch Versteeg scored the other Lethbridge goals.
With the Kootenay Ice winning in Medicine Hat last night, the Canes remain in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, still a point back of the Ice and now only 4 back of the Tigers with 4 games to go. 6th spot and even 5th spot isn’t out of the question for Lethbridge yet. With a week to go in the regular season, it should be a very entertaining and interesting few days. As I’ve said before, we likely won’t find out who’s playing who until the final day of the season next Sunday.
The Hurricanes have now won 4 of their past 5 games and 3 in a row heading into this game in Edmonton late this afternoon. The Oil Kings and Hurricanes have played some close games this season. Edmonton is fighting for their playoff lives. They currently hold down the final playoff spot in the East, tied with Prince Albert. The Oil Kings are hoping to make the post-season in only their second year back in the WHL. This should be a pretty good match-up. Colton Sceviour and Carter Ashton have been Oil King killers this season and lead the Hurricanes in offence against this Edmonton team.
After this game, Lethbridge has only 3 games to go. Back-to-back this Friday and Saturday against the Kootenay Ice, huge games to say the least, and then a Sunday evening game a week from tonight at the Enmax Centre versus the Calgary Hitmen.
An interesting week it will be!
Tonight’s game in Edmonton is a 5 o’clock start. The pre-game show on CJOC at 4:30.
A come-from-behind win for the Hurricanes in Saskatoon last night. It was a game that had a sea-saw battle, wide-open first period, a scoreless second, and two goal third by the Canes’ to win it 4-3. The Blades and Hurricanes managed 5 goals total in the opening 20 minutes at the Credit Union Centre. Saskatoon opened the scoring, Lethbridge would tie it and that continued with the Blades taking a 3-2 lead into the dressing room after one. Things tightened up defensively in the middle frame with no scoring to report, but in the 3rd, the Hurricanes would score twice....once to tie it at 3 and then the game winner by Dwight King a few minutes later. Lethbridge battled back 3 times to tie, eventually take the lead and win. After a shaky first period by both teams, it was a very entertaining game in front of a large crowd in Saskatoon. If these two teams happen to meet up in the first round, I would think it would be quite the battle. Kyle Beach, Zach, Boychuk, and Mitch Versteeg scored the other Lethbridge goals.
With the Kootenay Ice winning in Medicine Hat last night, the Canes remain in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, still a point back of the Ice and now only 4 back of the Tigers with 4 games to go. 6th spot and even 5th spot isn’t out of the question for Lethbridge yet. With a week to go in the regular season, it should be a very entertaining and interesting few days. As I’ve said before, we likely won’t find out who’s playing who until the final day of the season next Sunday.
The Hurricanes have now won 4 of their past 5 games and 3 in a row heading into this game in Edmonton late this afternoon. The Oil Kings and Hurricanes have played some close games this season. Edmonton is fighting for their playoff lives. They currently hold down the final playoff spot in the East, tied with Prince Albert. The Oil Kings are hoping to make the post-season in only their second year back in the WHL. This should be a pretty good match-up. Colton Sceviour and Carter Ashton have been Oil King killers this season and lead the Hurricanes in offence against this Edmonton team.
After this game, Lethbridge has only 3 games to go. Back-to-back this Friday and Saturday against the Kootenay Ice, huge games to say the least, and then a Sunday evening game a week from tonight at the Enmax Centre versus the Calgary Hitmen.
An interesting week it will be!
Tonight’s game in Edmonton is a 5 o’clock start. The pre-game show on CJOC at 4:30.
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