Hurricanes @ Medicine Hat

Well, the Lethbridge Hurricanes will try and re-group tonight after a rough start to the season in Kootenay Friday.

The Canes' dropped an 8-1 decision to the Kootenay Ice and were out shot 48-14. Cam Braes broke Kootenay's shutout bid with 6.8 seconds remaining in the game. If anything, Lethbridge played with some edge and a chip on it's shoulder. It was a rough game at times with 5 fights. The Hurricanes found themselves down a few more players after Cody Castro was kicked out for being a 3rd man in on a scrap and then Austin Fyten left the game in the first after he was cut open during a fight. He never returned, but should be alright for tonight in Medicine Hat.

The goaltending duties were split by Michael Tadjdeh and Ville Kolppanen. I thought Tadjdeh played very well, despite the number of shots he faced in a very short period of time. Kolppanen struggled in his first-ever WHL action, allowing two goals on the first two shots he faced.

So I guess, it's only one game in the books and there are 71 more to go. There's no question though that defence is the main issue for the Hurricanes right now. They are young and inexperienced and I think Kootenay used that to their advantage last night. This is the area the Canes' need to build from, no question. I put that question to Rich Preston in the pre-game show Friday night and he agreed. Yes, there was certainly a lack of offence Friday, but as it's been said many times before in many other sports, your best offence is your best defence.

Tonight, Lethbridge will be the opponent for the Medicine Hat Tigers in their home opener. Perhaps the Canes' can put last night behind them and come out and have a strong performance against their biggest rivals.

The pre-game show on CJOC at 7:00. The puck drops just after 7:30.

Thanks,
Pat

Canes' Open Regular Season Tonight

Well, it seems like it's been forever since the Lethbridge Hurricanes last played a meaningful hockey game.

The Canes' last game was back in early April when they lost out to the Calgary Hitmen in the playoffs and since then, the Hurricanes have been the talk of Lethbridge with changes in the front office and behind the bench.

Tonight, Rich Preston and his coaching staff as well as a fairly young group of Hurricanes players will open the 09/10 WHL season against the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook. This is one of 8 games on the road for the Hurricanes to start the year as the ongoing renovations at the Enmax Centre will keep the team away from home until October 9th. Some people think this might be a distraction for the team as it tries to rebuild with a new guy in charge and a young squad to boot. Perhaps starting on the road for 3 weeks is not a good thing, maybe it is. With all the changes this team has gone through and a relatively young line-up to start the season, beginning on the road might not be all that bad. I think this will give the Hurricanes a chance to bond early and really get to know each other, yours truly included. There's always a learning curve when you make coaching and General Manager changes.

As I mentioned previosuly, Lethbridge begins this season with a very young and for the most part inexperienced defence. Brennan Yadlowski won't be back until after the first two games this weekend, so Eric Mestery and Max Ross will have to lead on the back end. Rich Preston has told me shoring up the defence is something high on his to-do list. He made a good point to me the other day. He says it's his philosophy that if you're in need of a defenceman and a forward, who do you go after first? His answer: A defenceman. He says in his mind, you have to build a team from the back out. I think he hit the nail on the head there. As for forwards, Preston seems happy with the talent up front. I'm personally excited to see what kind of year Ryon Moser, Mark Reners, and Austin Fyten are going to have. There's been a fair bit of chatter in Lethbridge regarding those three players. And then there's the Hurricanes overage situation, or the lack there of. Carter Bancks is the only 20 year old right now, leaving the Canes' in a pretty good spot with two overage positions still available on the team. The cut down das for WHL teams for overage players is October 15th. In goal, Michael Tadjedeh and Ville Kolppanen will likely be the two to start the year, as Brandon Anderson is still tending to a bit of an injury. Both Tadjdeh and Kolppanen had good camps, saw a tonne of shots, and played well.

The Canes' had penalty trouble in the pre-season. I think if there's any one area this team can help themselves with early on, it's staying out of the penalty box as much as possible. If they can do that, they can give themselves a chance to win.

I'm sure a few players will be nervous especially those who haven't played a regular season game in this league yet. Once the puck drops though, it'll be hockey as usual. I think the Hurricanes have everything to gain and nothing to lose this season. It should be fun and it all starts tonight.
As I mentioned earlier Carter Bancks, Eric Mestery, and Austin Fyten have returned from NHL camps and will play tonight. Lethbridge also starts the season with 10 rookies: G - Brandon Anderson; G – Ville Kolppanen; F – Mark Reners; F – Michael Sofillas; F – Philip Tot; F – Ryon Moser; F – Neil Tarnasky; D – Drew Graham; D – Brandyn Hulit; D – Reid Jackson.

Tonight, the pre-game show starts on CJOC, 94.1 The Lounge at 6:30 with myself and Colour Analyst Fred Jack and the face-off not expected from the RecPlex until about 7:10 after the opening announcements in Cranbrook.

Tomorrow, the Hurricanes will be in Medicine Hat for the Tigers home-opener. It's a busy opening weekend in the WHL!

Enjoy the game!

Thanks,
Pat

Canes' Set for Opening Night

Tomorrow is opening night for the Lethbridge Hurricanes as they take on the Kootenay Ice on the road in Cranbrook (7pm face-off, pregame show on CJOC, 94.1 The Lounge at 6:30).

The team has been busy gearing up for Friday, practicing at Adams Ice Centre this week. I talked with Head Coach and General Manager Rich Preston late Wednesday afternoon outside the rink to get a feeling from him about the season finally being here.

Preston says they've had a good week of practice and three of the six players who went to pro camps will be back to play tomorrow night. Carter Bancks has returned from San Jose's camp, while Eric Mestery is back from Washington, and Austin Fyten has returned from Detroit. All three, from all accounts will be ready to go Friday night. Brennan Yadlowski will be back, but not until Sunday so he won't return to action until next Friday when the Hurricanes play in Red Deer. As for Kyle Beach and Carter Ashton, both players are still away at their respective NHL camps with Chicago and Tampa Bay. Preston couldn't give me an idea on when they might be back.

There's no question the Canes' will start tomorrow with a fairly young team, especially when it comes to defence and goaltending. I understand the back end is one area this team is trying to shore up as we speak. Whether something will happen this weekend, who knows, but I do know the people in charge are busy looking and have been for a while.

Preston is excited to finally get into a real, for keeps game so to speak. Despite the 6 pre-season losses he was happy what he saw from his young players and the no-quit attitude they brought to the table. Trust me, I think that's half the battle right there.

Who will start in goal Friday still remains to be seen. Michael Tadjdeh had a very good camp according to Preston, while newcomer Ville Kolppanen impressed too. Brandon Anderson saw limited time as he's nursing a bit of a nagging injury.

Thanks,
Pat

WHL Broadcasters Predictions Poll

Each year, the WHL play-by-play broadcasters are asked to give a prediction on where we feel each team will finish in our respective conferences. Those predictions are then averaged out and put into a final predictions poll. Here is the 2009/2010 poll results:

Eastern Conference:
1. Brandon
2. Calgary
3. Sasktoon
4. Kootenay
5. Medicine Hat
6. Swift Current
7. Edmonton
8. Regina

9. Red Deer
10. Moose Jaw
11. Lethbridge
12. Prince Albert

Western Conference:
1. Vancouver
2. Everett
3. Kelowna
4. Spokane
5. Kamloops
6. Portland
7. Tri-Cities
8. Chilliwack

9. Seattle
10. Prince George

Thanks,
Pat

Pop's Pub: Canes' Home Away From Home

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will be teaming up with Pop’s Pub South this season as the new home for Hurricanes away games! Beginning this Friday, Pop’s Pub South will be showing all the Hurricanes’ away games this season by broadcasting the WHL Insinc webcast on all 12 of their flat screen televisions!

Broadcasts will begin THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th with the Canes season opener against the Kootenay Ice! Away game nights will include special promotions and offers! Be sure to wear your jersey or other ‘Canes gear and cheer on the boys in a fun and comfortable atmosphere! Pop’s Pub South is located at 1516 – 19th Avenue South. For further details, contact Pop’s Pub South at 403-327-0068.

For more information on renewing existing tickets or on becoming a Season Ticket Holder; fans are encouraged to visit or contact the ENMAX Centre Ticket Office or the Yates Theatre Centre by calling (403) 329-SEAT.


From Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Communications Director

Hurricanes This Week: Back on the Air!

Hurricanes hockey officially kicks off tonight on CJOC, 94.1 The Lounge with our weekly, one hour talk show.

As previously mentioned, the talk show this year starts at 6pm and tonight we open the season with our Hurricanes Media Roundtable. Dylan Purcell from the Lethbridge Herald and Paul Kingsmith from Global TV will join myself and Colour Analyst Fred Jack for the first one hour program of the 2009/2010 WHL season.

As it was anything but a quiet off-season for the Hurricanes, there is plenty of stuff to talk about. If you have a comment or question for the show, send it to: hurricanes@pttwireless.ca.

Now that the pre-season is over, the focus switches to gearing up for the regular season which begins this Friday night when Lethbridge travels to Cranbrook to take on the Kootenay Ice. This will be one of 8 games of the road for the Hurricanes to start the season as they don't play their first home game until October 9th because of the ongoing renovations at the Enmax Centre.

Hurricanes fans shouldn't be surprised to start see a trade or two or some player acquisitions in the very near future. I put that question to Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston last week and he told me he didn't want to make any moves until he was able to see all the players in action. Now that he has, I would expect to see a few things happen, likely as soon as this week into next week. Just a gut feeling I guess. The Hurricanes are kind of in an interesting position. They have two overage spots available. It wouldn`t surprise me in the least to see one of those 20 year old spots used up by an experienced defenceman or maybe even a goaltender, depending on which goaltender or goaltenders the team chooses to hold on to now that the exhibition season is over.

As far as I can see it, the Hurricanes can be a competitive team this year, if they build around the core group: Bancks, Beach, Ashton, Fyten, Yadlowski, Braes etc. If they can bring in those character players in trades along with some speed and that will to give 110% each game, they could make this an interesting season. It appears the players have already bought into Preston's ideals, at least in the pre-season. It's just a matter of putting it all together when it really counts starting this weekend!

Talk to you tonight!

Pat

Canes' Go Winless in Pre-season

The Lethbridge Hurricanes finished the pre-season Sunday with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Tri-City Americans.

The Canes' end up going 0 and 6 in exhibition play. Ville Kolppanen and Michael Tadjdeh split the duties in goal for Lethbridge. The Hurricanes were heavily outshot again, this time 43-23. Penalties though proved to be a big factor for the Canes' in nearly every pre-season game this year and will be something this team I'm sure will key in on during the regular season. Despite the winless record though, when you really look at the way this Hurricanes team played it wasn't all that bad actually.

They've been playing with mostly 15 and 16 year olds and all three goaltenders, Kolppanen, Tadjdeh, and Anderson were and had to be very good. The Hurricanes have had a very young, inexperienced defensive corps in the pre-season and gave up a tonne of shots in those six games. Goaltending was good and the coaches have to be happy with what they say from those three.

It'll be decision time now for Rich Preston, Matt Kabayama, Brad Robson, Chris Chisamore, and Richie Sutter as to which players they keep and which ones go. Those decisions will likely be made in the next day or two as the Canes' get set for the regular season on Friday.

Here's the Sunday game recap:

1st Period
TC - Mason Wilgosh 1 (Spencer Asuchak, Lane Werbowski), 1:32 LET - Brent Henke 1 (Jordan Bailie, Phillip Tot), 16:00 LET - Brent Henke 2 (Mark Reners, Derek Ryckman), PPG, 17:16

2nd Period
TC - Patrick Holland 1 (Max Moline, Lane Werbowski), 1:59 LET - Mark Reners 1 (Brandon Brossoit, Cody Castro), 5:47 TC - Connor Rankin 1 (Brock Sutherland, Johnny Lazo), 13:06 TC - Connor Rankin 2 (Patrick Holland, Tyler Schmidt), PPG, 16:56

3rd Period LET - Mark Reners 2 (Ryan Moser, Cody Castro), PPG, 1:44 LET - Brody Sutter 1 (Jordan Bailie, Brent Henke), 4:14 TC - Riley McIntosh 1 (Johnny Lazo), 6:11

Overtime TC - Lane Werbowski 1 (Riley McIntosh, Justin Feser), 1:13

GoaltendingLET - Michael Tadjdeh, 30.56, 19/21; Ville Kolppanen, 30.17, 18/22TC - Joel Danyluk, 61.13, 18/23

Shots on Goal
LET - 9-5-9-0--23
TC - 12-16-14-1--43

Power Play
LET - 2-for-4
TC - 1-for-5


So pre-season is, well exactly that....pre-season. I wouldn't read too much into it. It was really a chance for Rich Preston to see what he had and chance for him to decide where he wants this team to go. Now he knows.

Thanks,
Pat