Canes' Hammered In Chilliwack

CHILLIWACK - For the Lethbridge Hurricanes, this is one game this team would rather forget. Three quick goals by Chilliwack helped the Bruins to a 9-2 drubbing of the Hurricanes Tuesday night at Prospera Centre.

Another rough first period for Linden Rowat to start the game. It was almost a carbon copy of the first period against Prince Albert this passed weekend. Linden Rowat was pulled for the second game in a row after giving up 3 goals in a span of 6:08 to start the hockey game in Chilliwack. Two of those were scored on the power play. Brandon Anderson replaced him between the pipes again. Anderson allowed one goal late in that period to put the Bruins up 4-0. Ryan Howse scored twice for Chilliwack. Rowat allowed 3 goals on 8 shots before he got pulled. The Bruins out shot the Canes' 14-10 after 20 minutes. There was a fight in the first as Mike Reddington dropped the gloves with Tim Traber.

In the second, the Hurricanes scored an early goal when Jacob Berglund put one off the post and in to put the Canes' on the board. The Bruins though would get that one back a while later to make the score 5-1 for the home side. The Canes' had a better second period, but still trailed by a bunch. The shots after two periods favoured Chilliwack 30-13.

In the third, things didn't get any better. The Bruins scored three more times before the 10 minutes mark to make it 8-1. The Hurricanes got one more off a power play goal from Reid Jackson, but with 30 seconds left in the game, Mitch Topping would score his second of the night to make it a 9-2 final score. That was the most goals the Hurricanes have given up in any game this season. Chilliwack out shot the Hurricanes 46-23 on the night. Cam Braes and Blair Wentworth scrapped near the end of the game at centre ice. Austin Fyten left the game after getting checked in the second period. He went to the local hospital to checked over. It appears he may have injured his ribs. The loss is the Hurricanes 5th in a row.

Some fans seem to be putting the blame on the goaltenders for the Hurricanes woes as of late. I disagree to a certain extent. There's no question Linden Rowat has struggled over his last two outings, but really can Rowat and Anderson be solely faulted for the team's struggles? Absolutely not. There is an onus on every player to carry their weight as far as I'm concerned and you can't depend on your goalies to constantly win games. Yes, that needs to happen from time to time, but every game? I don't think so. This is a team game. No one person can be blamed for the slumps this team has gone through this season.

Preston On Final Regular Season Games

I asked Rich Preston before last night's game about the importance of the remaining regular season games for his Hurricanes. Preston said, "You don't prepare to play, you prepare to win. You've got to compete and play hard for your teammates and that's what it's a ll about." Do you see this (the final regular season games) as an audition of sorts given the number of players returning next year. Do the players eligible to come back have to prove and earn a spot on this team next season?. "Well, that goes without saying. No matter what your record. You put the Lethbridge Hurricanes sweater on, you better go out there to play to win. It's all black and white. If you don't play hard and complete then you won't play here next year. I don't care what our record is, the players know that. I wouldn't say this is an audition, but if you don't compete consistently then you won't play here."

Mayor Tarleck Puts Out Fundraising Challenge

This should be worth a photo op or two! Lethbridge Mayor Bob Tarleck has challenged a fellow municipal leader to a fundraising competition. Tarleck will drop the puck at the February 14th Hurricanes game wearing a red dress and Medicine Hat Mayor Norm Boucher will do the same at the February 12th Tigers game. Each mayor wants to raise $5000.00 for the Heart and Stroke foundation of Alberta. If Mayor Tarleck raises the most money of the two, Mayor Boucher will have to don a Hurricanes jersey at the next Medicine Hat City Council meeting and vice versa if Boucher raises the most money. I think the two should also wear some red lipstick, high heels, and wigs! It just might add to the whole thing don't you think!

Next Up

The Hurricanes next game is set for tonight against the Vancouver Giants. This game will actually be played at the Langley Events Centre, home of the BCHL's Junior "A" Chiefs. This game is sold out already. The Giants have to play a few home games in Langley because of the Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver and Pacific Coliseum being used for the games. This will be the second and final meeting of the season between the Canes' and Giants. Vancouver won the first outing 5-1 back in late September. Game time tonight is 8 o'clock (MT). The pre-game show on CJOC at 7:30.

Thanks,
Pat