The Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Hurricanes 4-1 at the Enmax Centre Wednesday night in front of 3719 fans who showed up to watch the last match-up of the season between the two Eastern Conference opponents.
The Wheaties and Canes' played a pretty even opening 20 minutes at the Enmax Centre last night after a 15 minutes delay to start the game. Brandon though jumped out to the lead with two goals in about 3 and half minutes from Scott Glennie and Brodie Melnychuk to grab a 2-0 advantage. The Hurricanes got one back not too long after when Austin Fyten scored off a pass from Carter Bancks for his 16th of the season to cut the lead in half. The shots favoured Brandon 10-9 after one.
In the second, the Wheaties would score twice more to take a 4-1 lead. The game remained 2-1 until Brandon was able to open things up a little more, getting two more pucks passed Brandon Anderson in the Canes' goal. Aaron Lewadniuk was able to squeak the puck short-side on Anderson to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. A few minutes after that, Toni Rajala roofed one upstairs on the Hurricane goalie to put Brandon up 4-1 after 40 minutes. Despite the score, the shots were fairly even 19-15 Wheat Kings following two periods of play.
In the third, the Hurricanes decided to change up the goalies. Anderson was pulled in favour of Linden Rowat to start the period. The Canes' picked up their play in the final frame, but were unable to beat Jake De Serres in the Wheat King goal. The final score 4-1 Wheaties. Brandon wins the regular season series 3 games to one. The Hurricanes now have just one victory in their past 6 games. The Wheaties have won four straight with this victory. The power plays tonight for both teams were ineffective. The Canes' went 0 for 7 and Brandon 0 for 3 . All the goals in this one were scored even strength. The third period featured a doozy of a fight between Brayden Schenn and Carter Bancks. Both players threw some big punches in that bout. A very entertaining scrap between two of the top players for their respective teams. One of the more spirited fights we've seen this season.
Preston On the Last 23 Games of Regular Season
I asked the Head Coach and GM last night before the game about what he wants his team to focus on in the final 23 games of the regular season. "Well it's just constant compete and improvement on a game by game basis. They need to get ready to win each game. Prepare to win and do what it takes. Consistency is the biggest thing with us. You've got to play 60 minutes. You can't take a half a period off or 7 minutes off. You've got to bring it and if we do that and play four lines and everybody plays, were an effective team."
Pre-Game Flood
There was a flood before last night's game and it had nothing to do with the Zamboni cleaning the ice. About an hour before game time a large water pipe on the main concourse at the Enmax Centre burst sending gallons of water under the stairwell, downstairs, and right into the Brandon Wheat Kings dressing room. The room and the area around were flooded, forcing the Wheaties to relocate to another dressing room. The Lethbridge Fire Department was called to the Enmax as well as an emergency alarm was activated when the water came gushing from between two washrooms on the west side of the building. The game was delayed by 15 minutes so building maintenance could mop up the mess.
Next Up
The Hurricanes mini home-stand continues tomorrow when they host the Red Deer Rebels, a team the Canes' have yet to beat this season. Game time is 7o'clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
Thanks,
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.
Boo to all Canes fans who did not Give Banks a standing O last night. Come on Lethbridge, show 10%of the passion he brings to the rink. We have a reputation as being one of the worst fan bases in the WHL for good reason. This is the reason that I wanted to see him traded to a winner at the deadline. He deserves better. Just like I am a huge Jays fan but for the last couple seasons I hoped Roy Halladay got traded so his efforts did not go unappreciated. Also great job in the last 5 seconds of the game Carter. You can only take so much crap. Don't know who he got but great job standing up for yourself and the team. There is a certain #12 who should be more assertive when it comes to making sure our best player is not getting run at and having to fight. Tough as he is, and Banks has proven he can take care of himself, he should have way more support from the rest of the team. It was getting out of hand last night with the shots he was taking. If you want something done right, get Carter Banks to do it. To the rest of Canes fans who come to the game in a coma, please show these kids something or stay home.
ReplyDeleteTo: Jan28 1:52pm Anon.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more about Bancks and Cane fans! Bancks deserves a standing O every game he dresses! With no disrepect meant to exceptional players in years gone by, I think that the 'Canes should consider renaming the "Hardest Working Player Award" to the "Carter Bancks HWPA"
As for our fans, I vividly remember my first year here as a Lethbridge resident and Canes Season Ticket holder. I stood up to clap and cheer after our first playoff goal and some ole grumpy geezer (65+ yrs?!) season ticket holder sitting in the row behind me yelled at me to sit down (so he could see the post-goal player celebration I presume). How do you even begin to change that type of behaviour in fan culture? - Just lead by example, keep offering up your Standing Ovations, it will catch on, eventually.
As for Double-D. Don't kid yourself. He is always asking guys to fight. Rarely is anyone willing. Other than Sohn from the Hat (Not to bright, got his *%# kicked twice in the same game), nobody wants anything to do with him. He would just get suspended if he took it any further. If anything, he just needs to learn how to call guys (or their moms) nastier names to get them angry enough to fight him ... May want to consult with Kyle Beach for those skills a plenty.
Watch him line up prior to face-offs, and watch him during scrums... Players know that Dustin Donaghy fights eyes wide open. Nobody wants to even pair up and hold his jersey! Have a look at his fight on YouTube with Tri-Cities Brendan Shinnimin in a post-whistle scrum; DD makes him look like a Pee-Wee coward, and when he was done having his way with him, Donaghy was looking around the ice for any and all interested participants... NONE! Priceless! Too bad the other DD (Derek Dorsett) wasn't still with the Hat... That would be a good one, DD->><<-DD!!
Dustin has taken a lot of heat for not shaving his head with the Canes. I'm sure he has his reasons for keeping his hair, whatever, HIS business. I've never met the kid, but with his natual talent to skate along with his ability to fight, if he wants to play in the NHL, I know that there are coaches that will help him with the sights on that hard shot he has, too. I sure hope he scores this year, and I for one will be the first one standing and giving him a standing O! - Richie.
I wrote the previous email. I have noticed that he does try and nobody will scrap him. He's tough, but not an a hole. I just think DD has to just grab the guy and make him scrap. No freebies for the opposition. If they know they have to fight their attitude will change. He is very close to getting a goal. Would not be surprised if he got a couple this weekend. Who cares if he did not cut his hair. Not more money was raised by him not doing it. If you have a problem I would suggest asking him for yourself. Richie, great idea or renaiming the hardest working hurricane. Lets get some momentum going with this and on the last day of the season give him the award for the season and rename it the Carter Banks HWP. This team needs to build a sense of history and tradition. When it comes to the fans I think all we can do is wait for their seats to "open up" as the years go on so they can be replaced by fans who care. I go to every game to have a good time. If I wanted to sit quietly I would spend my entertainment $$$ at the movie mill. Go canes!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. From what I have seen on the ice, it would be nice in these recent games if DD became a bit more of an A-hole. (Again, he should consult with former Cane Kyle Beach for instructions on how to tick-off your opponent successfully)
ReplyDeleteTo me, Dustin looks like a very sportsmanlike player. In our 6-2 loss to Calgary on Jan 24, after his fight with Schultz, he kept patting Schultz to congratulate him for his fight effort. Very professional.
He takes a hit, clean or not-so, yet he never hurts the team by retaliating from embarrassment. I would love it if he would just hit guys all game; he is very good at throwing checks, and you know it would ignite the other players.
Personally, I don't care about the hair not getting cut, as I said, "His business."
I remain a DD fan and I look forward to seeing him score with the Canes, then score and fight in the NHL if that is what he wants to do.
He can take Flyer's Dan Carcillo's job; he is like the Lady Byng version of Carcillo, hair and all.
PatnJack was talking about the "Carter Bancks Post Game Show" after the Dead Rear game, so it looks like we are headed in the right direction with giving CB7 some props for years of dedication to the Canes.
I don't know how we are going to beat PA's Zemlak, but the Canes need have an unbelievable defensive effort, then somehow squeak out a 1-0 tonight!- Richie.