Hurricanes @ Swift Current

The Hurricanes travel to Swift Current tonight to take on the Broncos.

It's the first game for the Canes' since the trade deadline passed on Sunday. (D) Daniel Johnston and (F) Jacob Berglund will make their Hurricanes debuts tonight. The pair was acquired by Lethbridge in a trade with Portland that sent (D) Luca Sbisa to the 'Hawks. We could see the return of (D) Mike Reddington in this game. He's missed the past week and a half with a groin injury. No doubt with Sbisa now gone, Reddington and (D) Brennan Yadlowski are the two go-to veterans that will be looked to when it comes to leading this up and coming defensive corps.

It certainly is a new era in Lethbridge and if Rich Preston hadn't put his stamp on this team two months ago, he sure has in the past month with two big trades, one with Regina and now with Portland. Will the Hurricanes be a better team for it? I honestly think so. For the Hurricanes, the future is now and I think Rich Preston, Brad Robson, and Richie Sutter see that. I don't really think for the next 30 games, that points and positioning in the standings is too important. What is though, is getting all these new players acquired over the course of the last few months to gel. It's time for all this youth to get opportunities to play in all different situations. These 30 games left in the regular season will certainly be a tune up for this group going into the 2010/2011 campaign. I know this sounds like I'm saying the Hurricanes are going to mail in the rest of the season here, but that's exactly the opposite. This is a big chance for these players to really come together now. This team will certainly be better for it next season and the year after too. The overwhelming majority of this current Lethbridge team will be back next season and that bodes well for Mr. Preston's building process.

I would expect this Lethbridge team to play hard every game from here on out regardless of whether they make or don't make the post-season. This is what the coaches watch for. Who goes out there and plays hard every shift, win or lose. This is where a guy like Carter Bancks plays a big factor. Younger players can take a lot from watching the way Bancks plays and preps for games. Look for more regular ice time for guys like Tot, Tarnasky, and Moser. These three were the catalysts in Saskatoon last weekend. Again, the more ice time they get, the better they will grow as players.

This will be the 3rd meeting of the season between the Canes' and Broncos. Game time from Swift Current is 6:30 (mt). The pre-game show on CJOC at 6.

Thanks,
Pat