Hurricanes Lose 2-1 in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS - Two third period goals helped the Kamloops Blazers over the Hurricanes 2-1 last night at Interior Savings Centre.

It was pretty much a wide open start to last night's game. The Hurricanes and Blazers played to a scoreless tie after 20 minutes. Both goaltenders, Brandon Anderson and Jon Groenheyde were busy. It was a pretty solid opening frame for Lethbridge, their second good start in a row. The Canes' held the edge in shots on goal at 13-10.

In the second, the Hurricanes broke the scoreless tie early when Carter Bancks tipped a Dustin Donanghy pass behind Groenheyde to give the Canes' a 1-0 lead less than 2 minutes into the period. Kamloops came on strong pressing for the equalizer. They thought the had tied the game, but the goal was called back after a penalty was assessed to the Blazers for goalie interference. Brandon Anderson had a great period between the pipes for Lethbridge as the Canes' were out shot 14-6 and out shot 24-19 through two periods. The Kamloops fans were not too happy with the official of record Matt Kirk, chanting "We want a ref" near the end of the period. I actually thought Kirk did a fair job up to this point. The Kamloops faithful though obviously disagreed.

In the third, the Blazers completed the comeback. Kamloops tied the game on an early power play goal and then got the winner with just over six minutes to go in the 3rd. Ryan Funk's point shot went off Mike Reddington and in. The Hurricanes pulled Anderson while on a late power play, but couldn't get the tying goal. The final score Kamloops over Lethbridge 2-1. The Blazers out shot the Canes' 34-22. Anderson was the game's third star and played well in the loss. Strangely enough, two nights in a row the game winner was scored late in the 3rd after the opponent banked a shot off Defenceman Mike Reddington. Bad break for the Hurricanes again. The losing streak is now 8 games. The power play kind of let the Canes' down in Kamloops. Lerthbridge went 0 for 5 while the Blazers were 1-1. That was the difference on the night. After the game, a frustrated Rich Preston told me, "Patty....same story, different chapter." Two nights in a row, so close but yet so far. That was also the 23rd game the Hurricanes have played this year decided by a single goal. The Hurricanes have one only 8 of those one goal contests.

Injury Update

Rich Preston's crew got back some of their walking wounded last night in Kamloops. Graham Hood who's missed the passed few games with a shoulder problem played last night as did Daniel Johnston who was scratched Friday was also back in Saturday. Hood though didn't see much action after the first period. Phillip Tot was scratched for the second game in a row with a concussion. He may not be back in the line-up until next weekend.

Next Up

The Hurricanes are heading back to Alberta now, but they'll only be in Lethbridge a short while. The Canes' head back on the road Tuesday to play the Rebels in Red Deer and then on Wednesday they'll head up to Edmonton to take on the Oil Kings. The Hurricanes return home Saturday to play host to the Saskatoon Blades.

Thanks,

Pat