Canes' Upset Hitmen 4-2 In Calgary

Linden Rowat was sensational in his return to the Hurricanes crease as Lethbridge beat the Hitmen 4-2 at the Saddledome last night.

A heck of a good start to this game for the Hurricanes. Despite having 5 regulars out with injury, the Canes' opened up a 2-0 first period lead. Lethbridge got goals from Cam Braes and Graham Hood 27 seconds apart to shock the Hitmen after 20 minutes. It was a well played period for the Hurricanes against a very good Calgary team. The Canes' started the game with two 16 year olds, two 18 year olds, a 15 year old, and a 17 year old on defence as the team is reeling with some key injuries at the moment on the blue line. The Hitmen out shot Lethbridge 7-6 in opening period.

In the second, the Calgary Hitmen came out gunning big time. They scored twice to even the score at two. The Canes' had serious issues generating offence in that period. In fact, Lethbridge was able to register just one shot and it came with 30 seconds to go in the second. Linden Rowat was bombarded with shots and despite the two goals he allowed, he looked excellent in his first game back from injury. Calgary out shot Lethbridge in that second period 18-1 and overall the shots were 25-7 after two in favour of the Hitmen. The Canes' best chance of the period though came on a power play when Carter Bancks put one off the goal post, unable to to be Hitmen goalie Michael Snider.

The Hurricanes scored what turned out to be the eventual game winner on the power play early in the 3rd when Brennan Yadlowski put the puck over the glove of Calgary's Michael Snider to give the Canes' a 3-2 lead early in the final frame. The Hitmen though would continue to press and press hard too, but Linden Rowat was able to shut the door and hold down the fort for the Hurricanes. Graham Hood sealed it up with an empty netter for his second goal of the game to give the Canes'a 4-2 win. The Canes' were out shot 37-13, but I suppose it was quality over quantity in that department for Lethbridge on this night. Rowat was named the game's first star and really looked like he didn't miss a beat out of the line-up for two months with a foot injury.

Injury Bug

The Hurricanes played yesterday's game with a number of players out because of injury. Derek Ryckman (shoulder), Luca Sbisa (abdominal), Max Ross (broken leg), Austin Fyten (hip), and Mike Reddington (groin). This was the second game in a row missed by Reddington. Head Coach/GM Rich Preston said Fyten is day-to-day. A bright spot on the injury front Sunday was the return of Linden Rowat in goal. It was his first game since October 30th when he was injured against Seattle. The Canes' also had three affiliate players in the line-up yesterday: Brandyn Huilt, Adam Henry, and Jodan Baillie.

On The Road Again

Things certainly don't get any easier for the Hurricanes. They play the Wheat Kings in Brandon Wednesday. After that it's off to Prince Albert Friday and Saskatoon Saturday. Game time Wednesday is 6pm (MT). The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30.

A Note for Hurricanes Shareholders

The Hurricanes Board of Directors are holding their annual shareholders meeting Wednesday, January 6th at 7pm in the Scenic Room at the Ramada Hotel.

Hurricanes This Week

Our weekly Hurricanes radio talk show is back on the air tonight on CJOC at 6pm. The first show 2010 will see Canes' forward Dustin Donaghy join us. Hurricanes Assistant Coach Chris Chisamore will stop in to chat about the goalies, and then we'll head to Swift Current and speak with Jon Keen, the radio voice of the Broncos. At email questions or comments can be sent to hurricanes@pttwireless.ca.

Thanks,
Pat