Tonight’s the biggest game of the season for both the Hurricanes and Saskatoon Blades.
With the series now tied at two and essentially a best of three affair, the winner tonight will take a stranglehold lead and chance to win the series in game six back in Lethbridge on Monday night. Neither team has yet to win back-to-back games in this series. The Hurricanes will attempt to do that this evening here in Saskatoon. I remember talking with Blades radio voice Les Lazaruk a few hours before this series started last weekend. He told me it wouldn’t surprise him in the least if the Canes’ and Blades didn’t split in Saskatoon and then split again in Lethbridge. Well, Les hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly what happened.
Like a lot of people said at the start, special teams and goaltending would be the two things to watch in this series and so far both have been big factors. Braden Holtby has been very good in goal for the Blades while Juha Metsola has been equally as good for the Canes’, especially in the two Lethbridge wins. The power play and penalty kill have come into play a lot as well, the first two games more so than the games three and four.
Speaking of goaltending, Hurricanes Media Relation Guru Ryan Ohashi sent me a few interesting notes on these two goaltenders in head-to-head play. Metsola, last years WHL Eastern Conference Playoff MVP, has a total of 14 career WHL playoff wins and holds the edge in the Holtby/Metsola goaltending dual with a 5-3-1-0 head to head record (including the 2009 playoffs) dating back to September 29, 2007 in Saskatoon – ironically, Metsola’s first WHL win.
Going into game 5, Zach Boychuk leads the Canes' in playoffs scoring (5G, 1A). He's followed by Dwight King (1G, 4A), and Cam Braes (1G, 1A). So far in the four games in this series, Lethbridge has outshot Saskatoon by a slim margain of 98-91.
This has been a battle. No one expected one team was going to have it’s way with the other in this series. This will go six games for sure and who knows, it might even go the limit. If the Canes’ win this series, they’ll get the honour of taking on the Calgary Hitmen who will have been sitting idle for nearly 10 days waiting for their second round opponent. If the Blades win, they’ll take on Brandon and the Hitmen would get either Swift Current or Medicine Hat. Still a lot at stake as this series winds down over the next few days.
The Hurricanes are still without the services of Carter Bancks. He played the first two games of this series, but never played in the last two games. He has a “nagging” injury according to coach Michael Dyck, who referred to Bancks on our pre-game show the other night as the the Canes’ catalyst and a heart and soul kind of player, best penalty killer and one of the team’s most valuable players. That says a lot about who Carter Bancks is and what he brings to the ice each game. That’s probably why the coaches have brought Bancks to help out on the bench the last couple of games as well.
The Blades are a heck of hockey team. These guys give 110% each night. They have a good defence and solid forwards. I don’t think I can say much more about their goaltending, which pretty much speaks for itself. Both teams understand how big this game is this evening. The winner will be in the driver’s seat going back to Southern Alberta for game six Monday.
I know one thing both coaches have been harping on has been discipline. With the power plays clicking at a decent pace, staying out the penalty box could be the difference between winning and losing this series.
Game 6 Tickets On Sale!
Tickets for Game 6 in Lethbridge are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Office, the Yates Theatre Centre, by calling (403) 329-SEAT or online at: www.lethbridgehurricanes.com
Game time tonight from Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon is 7 o’clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
Talk to you then!
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.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Canes' Comeback to Tie Series
Well, Zach Boychuk did it again!
"Boy Wonder" scored two 3rd period goals to mount a huge comeback for the Hurricanes in game 4 four last night. It was a low scoring affair with only 3 goals in total. The Blades got a late goal in the first to go up 1-0 and it stayed that way until Lethbridge finally got the offence going in the 3rd. It was a huge victory for the Canes' as the series heads back to Saskatoon for game 5 on Saturday.
Juha Metsola played solid in goal again for the Canes'. After the win Metsola did a a little dance now dubbed by some as the "Finnish Jig"! To be honest I kind of like it. It shows Juha is into the game and excited about the win. Braden Holtby was good again between the pipes for Saskatoon.
One of our keys to last night's game was to see more from Colton Sceviour and Kyle Beach. Sceviour stepped up with two assists and Beach played well in the third and stayed disciplined throughout the game. With the way these two teams have been playing on special teams, I think the message to both clubs is to stay out of the penalty box at all costs!
There were only 2900 fans for game 4 last night and only 3000 for game 3 on Tuesday. Low crowds for the first two games in Lethbridge, especially when the Hurricanes sold out nearly every home game after the Christmas break. One person suggested to me the reason is the ticket prices are too high for the playoffs. Really, are they? A regular season walk-up ticket is around 20 dollars. A playoff walk-up ticket is around 22. Is the difference of roughly a toonie really the reason for the smaller crowds? This is not just a trend in Lethbridge. Other teams have seen low attendance in the first round. Look at Saskatoon. The Blades were getting 7 to 9 thousand fans to some of their home games near the end of the regular season. The playoffs hit and only 5300 people show up. Smaller crowds were reported in Swift Current and Brandon too. Why? Ticket prices? I don't think so. I could see if it was a 10 dollar difference in price, but two or 3 dollars shouldn't make a difference. I know times are tough for some right now. That could be a factor. It's playoff hockey though! This is when teams and organizations make their money is in the playoffs. Teams budget for the regular season. Come out and support the Hurricanes! Game six in Lethbridge on Monday.
"Boy Wonder" scored two 3rd period goals to mount a huge comeback for the Hurricanes in game 4 four last night. It was a low scoring affair with only 3 goals in total. The Blades got a late goal in the first to go up 1-0 and it stayed that way until Lethbridge finally got the offence going in the 3rd. It was a huge victory for the Canes' as the series heads back to Saskatoon for game 5 on Saturday.
Juha Metsola played solid in goal again for the Canes'. After the win Metsola did a a little dance now dubbed by some as the "Finnish Jig"! To be honest I kind of like it. It shows Juha is into the game and excited about the win. Braden Holtby was good again between the pipes for Saskatoon.
One of our keys to last night's game was to see more from Colton Sceviour and Kyle Beach. Sceviour stepped up with two assists and Beach played well in the third and stayed disciplined throughout the game. With the way these two teams have been playing on special teams, I think the message to both clubs is to stay out of the penalty box at all costs!
There were only 2900 fans for game 4 last night and only 3000 for game 3 on Tuesday. Low crowds for the first two games in Lethbridge, especially when the Hurricanes sold out nearly every home game after the Christmas break. One person suggested to me the reason is the ticket prices are too high for the playoffs. Really, are they? A regular season walk-up ticket is around 20 dollars. A playoff walk-up ticket is around 22. Is the difference of roughly a toonie really the reason for the smaller crowds? This is not just a trend in Lethbridge. Other teams have seen low attendance in the first round. Look at Saskatoon. The Blades were getting 7 to 9 thousand fans to some of their home games near the end of the regular season. The playoffs hit and only 5300 people show up. Smaller crowds were reported in Swift Current and Brandon too. Why? Ticket prices? I don't think so. I could see if it was a 10 dollar difference in price, but two or 3 dollars shouldn't make a difference. I know times are tough for some right now. That could be a factor. It's playoff hockey though! This is when teams and organizations make their money is in the playoffs. Teams budget for the regular season. Come out and support the Hurricanes! Game six in Lethbridge on Monday.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Blades Win Game 3....Game 4 Tonight
The Lethbridge Hurricanes find themselves trailing their best of 7 first round playoff series two games to one after a 3-1 loss to Saskatoon last night at the Enmax Centre.
The Hurricanes came out flying in game 3 and dominated the Blades in the opening 20 minutes, out shooting Saskatoon 8-2 in the first period. The Canes' opened the scoring when Austin Fyten notched a power play goal. The Hurricanes have scored first in every game in this series so far. Lethbridge had about 5 really good chances to score in the first period, shots that were either stopped by Blades goaltender Braden Holtby or missed chances for the Hurricanes. Saskatoon though made some adjustments after that and came out to take control of the rest of the game. The Blades scored twice in the second to go up 2-1 and then former Hurricane Adam Chorneyko would add the insurance goal for Saskatoon in the 3rd and Blades would win it 3-1.
Braden Holtby was very good in goal for Saskatoon. He made a couple of very good stops, including what could've been the game saver in the second period when he robbed Carter Ashton. Holtby fell backwards and swung his right arm out to knock the puck away to save what looked to be a sure goal.
The Hurricanes now will have to play desperate hockey again. They trail this series and need to tie things up with a win tonight. The Canes' need to sustain pressure for an entire 60 minutes. Lethbridge had the momentum last night after a great first period. Saskatoon took that away.
This is not a do or die game tonight for the Hurricanes, but at the same time the team can't afford to go down 3-1 in this series with game 5 back in Saskatoon on Saturday. They might have to approach it like a do or die though. The Canes' need to concentrate now on evening things up. Lethbridge played fantastic in game two after dropping game one last weekend. They responded with a strong performance and they'll need that again this evening in game 4.
You have to give the Blades credit for coming back last night. Lethbridge totally dominated them in the first period, but Saskatoon turned the tide on the Canes. The motivation for the Canes' should be pretty simple tonight. Win and they're back in this series.
One other note. I received an email from the Lethbridge Hockey Hounds. They're putting out a challenge to all Hurricanes fans attending home games during the playoffs to by 50/50 tickets. Last year the Hockey Hounds donated $119,000 to the Hurricanes education fund and $51,000 came from just 10 playoff games. Of course the more you buy, the bigger the 50/50!
Tonight's game starts at 7. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
The Hurricanes came out flying in game 3 and dominated the Blades in the opening 20 minutes, out shooting Saskatoon 8-2 in the first period. The Canes' opened the scoring when Austin Fyten notched a power play goal. The Hurricanes have scored first in every game in this series so far. Lethbridge had about 5 really good chances to score in the first period, shots that were either stopped by Blades goaltender Braden Holtby or missed chances for the Hurricanes. Saskatoon though made some adjustments after that and came out to take control of the rest of the game. The Blades scored twice in the second to go up 2-1 and then former Hurricane Adam Chorneyko would add the insurance goal for Saskatoon in the 3rd and Blades would win it 3-1.
Braden Holtby was very good in goal for Saskatoon. He made a couple of very good stops, including what could've been the game saver in the second period when he robbed Carter Ashton. Holtby fell backwards and swung his right arm out to knock the puck away to save what looked to be a sure goal.
The Hurricanes now will have to play desperate hockey again. They trail this series and need to tie things up with a win tonight. The Canes' need to sustain pressure for an entire 60 minutes. Lethbridge had the momentum last night after a great first period. Saskatoon took that away.
This is not a do or die game tonight for the Hurricanes, but at the same time the team can't afford to go down 3-1 in this series with game 5 back in Saskatoon on Saturday. They might have to approach it like a do or die though. The Canes' need to concentrate now on evening things up. Lethbridge played fantastic in game two after dropping game one last weekend. They responded with a strong performance and they'll need that again this evening in game 4.
You have to give the Blades credit for coming back last night. Lethbridge totally dominated them in the first period, but Saskatoon turned the tide on the Canes. The motivation for the Canes' should be pretty simple tonight. Win and they're back in this series.
One other note. I received an email from the Lethbridge Hockey Hounds. They're putting out a challenge to all Hurricanes fans attending home games during the playoffs to by 50/50 tickets. Last year the Hockey Hounds donated $119,000 to the Hurricanes education fund and $51,000 came from just 10 playoff games. Of course the more you buy, the bigger the 50/50!
Tonight's game starts at 7. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Canes Host Blades....Game 3 Tonight
Game 3 of the Hurricanes-Saskatoon series goes tonight at 7 at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge.
The two teams split the first couple of games in Saskatoon this past weekend. The Blades winning game one 5-1 and the Hurricanes bouncing back with a 5-2 victory in game two. I thought the Canes' played great in that second game. They were led by Zach Boychuk who scored a hatrick and added one assist. Defensively it was the Juha Metsola show. The "Finnish Phenom" made his return in net after missing a week with injury and to be quite honest, he never missed a beat! Metsola was rock solid, coming up with a number of big saves. Every Lethbridge player contributed to the win in one way or another. The Canes' will need another effort like that tonight if they want to take the lead in this series for the first time.
I also liked the Hurricanes starts in all three periods on Saturday. Lethbridge was rewarded with a 2-0 lead after one. They came out of the gate in the 2nd like a house on fire, hit two goal posts, but the scored stayed the same until early in the 3rd when Carter Ashton scored on the power play to go up 3-0. The Blades came back to cut the lead to 3-1, but Lethbridge would go up 4-1 and eventually take the game 5-2. Saskatoon's coaching staff pulled goalie Braden Holtby with nearly 7 minutes to go in the 3rd when the Blades were down 4-1 at that point. I thought it was a gutsy call and showed Saskatoon's desire to not give up. It sure made the game interesting. I've seen a coach do that once in the past, not in a playoff game though. Nothing like pulling out all the stops to try and make a comeback. I suppose that's what playoff hockey is all about!
So far this series has been about special teams. The Blades won that battle in game one while the Hurricanes turned the table and owned that department in game two scoring twice on the power play and once short-handed. It seems like that's the area where this series could be decided.
This should be another good game tonight. The Hurricanes have played good hockey at home while Saskatoon has been one of the best teams on the road this season. I expect another physical and chippy affair in game 3. This could also be the swing game in this series. I know the Hurricanes are hoping strong fan support will again help them out in the playoffs. The fan support last year in the playoffs was outstanding and I think really helped push this Lethbridge team to the next level. Fans are encouraged to wear white in support of the Hurricanes play-off run. The "White Out" was a spectacular site to see last post-season! Also, if you haven't purchased your play-off tickets yet, there's still time. I'll be on remote down at the Enmax Centre today from noon till 4 getting out the word about tickets!
Kyle Beach returns to the Canes' line-up in game 3 tonight after serving a one game suspension. Jiri Niemi is back for Saskatoon. He also received a one game suspension in game one. I think that adds offence back for both teams.
Fred Jack and I will have the pre-game show on CJOC tonight at 6:30. Game 4 goes tomorrow in Lethbridge and game 5 back in Saskatoon Saturday night.
The two teams split the first couple of games in Saskatoon this past weekend. The Blades winning game one 5-1 and the Hurricanes bouncing back with a 5-2 victory in game two. I thought the Canes' played great in that second game. They were led by Zach Boychuk who scored a hatrick and added one assist. Defensively it was the Juha Metsola show. The "Finnish Phenom" made his return in net after missing a week with injury and to be quite honest, he never missed a beat! Metsola was rock solid, coming up with a number of big saves. Every Lethbridge player contributed to the win in one way or another. The Canes' will need another effort like that tonight if they want to take the lead in this series for the first time.
I also liked the Hurricanes starts in all three periods on Saturday. Lethbridge was rewarded with a 2-0 lead after one. They came out of the gate in the 2nd like a house on fire, hit two goal posts, but the scored stayed the same until early in the 3rd when Carter Ashton scored on the power play to go up 3-0. The Blades came back to cut the lead to 3-1, but Lethbridge would go up 4-1 and eventually take the game 5-2. Saskatoon's coaching staff pulled goalie Braden Holtby with nearly 7 minutes to go in the 3rd when the Blades were down 4-1 at that point. I thought it was a gutsy call and showed Saskatoon's desire to not give up. It sure made the game interesting. I've seen a coach do that once in the past, not in a playoff game though. Nothing like pulling out all the stops to try and make a comeback. I suppose that's what playoff hockey is all about!
So far this series has been about special teams. The Blades won that battle in game one while the Hurricanes turned the table and owned that department in game two scoring twice on the power play and once short-handed. It seems like that's the area where this series could be decided.
This should be another good game tonight. The Hurricanes have played good hockey at home while Saskatoon has been one of the best teams on the road this season. I expect another physical and chippy affair in game 3. This could also be the swing game in this series. I know the Hurricanes are hoping strong fan support will again help them out in the playoffs. The fan support last year in the playoffs was outstanding and I think really helped push this Lethbridge team to the next level. Fans are encouraged to wear white in support of the Hurricanes play-off run. The "White Out" was a spectacular site to see last post-season! Also, if you haven't purchased your play-off tickets yet, there's still time. I'll be on remote down at the Enmax Centre today from noon till 4 getting out the word about tickets!
Kyle Beach returns to the Canes' line-up in game 3 tonight after serving a one game suspension. Jiri Niemi is back for Saskatoon. He also received a one game suspension in game one. I think that adds offence back for both teams.
Fred Jack and I will have the pre-game show on CJOC tonight at 6:30. Game 4 goes tomorrow in Lethbridge and game 5 back in Saskatoon Saturday night.
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