Hurricanes & Wheaties

BRANDON - The Lethbridge Hurricanes get another real good test tonight when the play the Wheat Kings in Brandon.

It was a long all-day bus ride from Lethbridge to Brandon yesterday in some not too nice winter weather, but the team made it safe and sound and after a good night sleep everyone is ready to go. This will be the 3rd meeting of the season between the Canes' and Wheaties. Lethbridge has fared well so far against this highly offensive team with a win and an overtime loss. The Hurricanes first visit to Brandon resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Canes' back in mid-October. Linden Rowat stole the show in that one as he backstopped the visitors to a win. Rowat is coming off a stellar performance in Calgary this past Sunday and will more than likely get the start in this one too.

The Hurricanes are still nursing injuries. Mike Reddington is still day-to-day with a groin problem and Austin Fyten remains day-to-day with a hip injury. It isn't clear if one or both might be ready to go for tonight's game at the Keystone Centre. That'll likely be determined as we get closer to game time. The Canes' did bring along a few affiliate players to help fill the void if needed. Rich Preston has also called up Michael Sofillas for this game. The Hurricanes prospect is tearing up the Manitoba Midget AAA League right now. He leads that league with 37 points in 19 games.

As for Brandon, they are rolling along just nicely, challenging for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Wheat Kings have 27 wins in 42 games and have been stocking up for the playoff run and of course the upcoming Memorial Cup which they host in May. The Wheaties are 8 and 2 in their past 10 games and after kind of a slow start to the season, have been one of the hottest teams in the WHL since late October and early November. This Wheat Kings team I think may very well have to most dynamic and talented group of forwards in the league. This is a high powered offence with the likes of Schenn, Glennie, Calvert, Lewadniuk, Fehr, and now Raedeke who they recently picked up from Edmonton. Needless to say, the Hurricanes defence will have to be top notch in this one as well as another lights out performance in goal.

As many fans and media types around the league will be waiting to see if Rich Preston and the Hurricanes make any big trades or acquisitions before Sunday's deadline the same can be said for the Wheat Kings. GM/Head Coach Kelly McCrimmon has a huge opportunity this year, hosting the big tournament and all in a few months. This is the time when a team like Brandon puts all it's eggs into one basket and goes for it. You don't want to mortgage the future, but teams certainly can't pass up what is going to be the chance of a lifetime for many playing Brandon this year. You know the Wheaties will play in the Memorial Cup regardless. No question Kelly wants his team to go in the front door and earn their way there through the playoffs. Nothing is worse than for the team that hosts the national championship to lose out early in the playoffs and sit and wait 6 weeks to play again. I think Kelly really has put together a pretty potent team and it'll be very interesting to see if he adds more before the deadline.

Tonight's game is a 6pm start (MT) from the Wheat City. The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30. Any comments or questions during the broadcast can be sent to hurricanes@pttwireless.com.

Thanks,
Pat