Losing Streak Ends in Edmonton

EDMONTON - The Hurricanes put the breaks to a nine game losing streak last night with a 4-3 win in a wide-open, non-defensive game in Edmonton.

It was a very good first period for Lethbridge last night. After going down 1-0 early, the Canes' rattled off three straight to take a 3-1 lead near end of the first. Edmonton got one back late to get back to within one as the Hurricanes held a 3-2 lead after 20 minutes. In the first, the Canes' got goals from Brennan Yadlowski, Cam Braes, and Mitch Maxwell. Maxwell's goal was his team leading 25th of the season. It's been a good season for the 19 year old rookie out of Magrath. It was a busy first for the goaltenders, Anderson and Jung. The Hurricanes out shot Edmonton 19-17 through 20 minutes. It was one of the better first periods for Lethbridge this season.

In the second, the Oil Kings would put on the pressure and eventually got the equalizer on a power play. Brandon Anderson and Torrie Jung continued to play lights out in goal despite the game being at a 3-3 tie after 40 minutes. The Hurricanes had another 19 shots on Jung in the second. He stopped every one. Through two periods, Lethbridge held the edge in shots 38-35. It was a wide-open game right from the get-go and the most shots the Hurricanes have put on an opposing goaltender through 40 minutes this season.

In the third, the Canes' would keep firing away on Torrie Jung and late in the 3rd the streak would officially come to and end. Cam Braes scored his second of the night with less than two minutes to give to give Lethbridge a 4-3 victory and their 4th straight win against Edmonton this season. The final shots were 51-40 for the Canes'. Both goalies played great. Anderson was named the game's second star. Torrie Jung was the first and Cam Braes was third star. It was a big victory for Lethbridge in what was yet another one goal game. Their 25th in 57 games this season.

This was certainly not a defensive match-up. In the first period alone, the Hurricanes and Oil Kings combined for a total of 36 shots. In total, the shots were 91 between the two clubs. One positive for Lethbridge was the defensive contributions last night. The Canes' defence combined for 6 points in Edmonton. Yadlowski had a goal and one assist and Reddington had three assists. Machacek had one point too. This is what Rich Preston has been talking about lately. Getting more of players other than Bancks, Maxwell, Braes, and Fyten to chip in from time to time. It was nice to see the defence finally getting in on some offence. This team is going to need more of that for the final 15 games this season.

Preston Talks About Scoring Woes

Out of all the question Hurricanes Head Coach and G.M. has had this season from the media, one will likely top them all. Why is your team have trouble scoring goals and how do you put the puck in the net? Well that question kind of came up again in my pre-game interview with him in Edmonton. "Well you know it's been tough. Our guys (for the most part) have played hard this season and battled, especially in the past three games. (Chuckling) It's almost comical now actually. We laughed about it today. You can get too down to the point where you're so tight they can't go out and play. We're going to even talk about scoring in our meetings." Before last night's game the Hurricanes had scored only 139 goals this season in 56 games. Only Edmonton, Prince George, and Seattle have scored less.

Next Up

The Hurricanes now get a couple of days between games. Last night's contest in Edmonton was the 6th game in 9 days for Lethbridge in what has been a stretch of six games away from home during the month of February. The Canes' return home now for two games Saturday and Sunday and some pretty tough competition too. Saskatoon will drop by for a visit on Saturday and the Calgary Hitmen will play the Canes' in an early 2pm game Valentine's Day Sunday.

Thanks,
Pat