Blades Beat Canes' 3-2 in O.T.

LETHBRIDGE - A late goal in overtime helped the Saskatoon Blades to a 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes last night at the Enmax Centre.

A solid first period of hockey for the Hurricanes last night. They played the top notch Saskatoon Blades close through the opening 20 minutes at the Enmax Centre in what was the Canes' first home game in the month of February. The game remained scoreless until the final minute of the period when Dustin Donaghy broke what was a 54 game personal goal scoring drought when he fired a long shot from just inside the blueline with about 25 seconds left to open the scoring beating a partially screened Steven Stanford in the Blades net, giving the home side a 1-0 lead after one. Donaghy looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders when that shot went in as he's be snake bitten in the goal scoring department so far this season. Lethbridge out shot Saskatoon 8-6 in the first.

In the second, the Blades would even the score on a shot by Charles Inglis. Linden Rowat had made some big stops prior to that shot beating him, but a big hit by Carter Bancks on Saskatoon's Sam Klassen would give the Hurricanes a chance to regain the lead and they would do just that. Marek Viedensky took acception to that hit and went after Bancks. Referee Pat Smith sent Viedensky off to the box. While on the power play, the Blades would get another penalty and when the Canes' pulled the goalie to get out six attackers, Cam Braes scored on the delayed penalty to give Lethbridge a 2-1 lead after two periods. The shots after two favoured the Hurricanes 18-17.

In the third, the Blades would once again tie the score when Marek Viedensky redirected a point shot on the power play early to make it a 2-2 games. Neither team could score in regulation sending the contest to overtime. The shots through 60 minutes favoured the Blades slightly 24-20. The game would head into overtime which was dominated by Saskatoon. The Blades would get the game winner with less than a minute left in O.T. when Derek Hulak was sprung free behind the Lethbridge defence and fired a backhander beating Rowat to give Saskatoon a 3-2 comeback win. Certainly a tough loss for Lethbridge, but the Canes' played the WHL's number one team very tough. The final shots were 32-20 Saksatoon.

In the four game season series, the Canes' took 5 out of a possible 8 points from the Blades. Besides Edmonton, Saskatoon is the only other team Lethbridge has really had success against this year. It was a huge win for Saskatoon. That was one of the three games his Blades had in hand on Brandon in the race for first place in the WHL's Eastern Conference.

Preston on Final 14 Games

I asked Rich Preston last night if he had one message for his players in the final 14 games, what would that be? He said, "Well we talked about it Pat. Obviously the reality is were are too far behind to make the playoffs, but the motivation to win still needs to be there. If they need more motivation than that then they won't be playing here next year. So that's the message. If they need more motivation..for some guys it's their draft year, some guys could get invited to pro camps, and some guys are fighting for ice time next year. This is why we lace them up."

Heart and Stroke Game Today vs. Calgary Hitmen

In support of Heart and Stroke month, all Hurricanes fans coming to this afternoon's game are asked to wear red. Lethbridge Mayor Bob Tarleck will attend today's game and wear a red dress for a pre-game ceremonial face-off. Tarleck is trying to raise money for the Heart and Stoke Foundation and has put out a challenge to Medicine Hat's Mayor Norm Boucher. If Tarleck raises more cash than Boucher, then the Medicine Hat Mayor will have to wear a Hurricanes jersey at the next Medicine Hat City Council meeting. If Boucher raises more, then Tarleck will have to don a Tigers jersey during a Lethbridge Council meeting. The Heart and Stoke Foundation will be at today's game collecting donations.

Game time against the Calgary Hitmen today is 2pm (MT). It's an early afternoon start from the Enmax Centre. The pre-game show on CJOC at 1:30. The Hurricanes have a 2-3 record against the Hitmen this season.

Thanks,
Pat