Canes' Lose Final Game 4-1 in The Hat

MEDICINE HAT - Two second period goals pulled the Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the Hurricanes last night in Medicine Hat in the last regular season game for Lethbridge.

A fast paced first period to the final game of the regular season last night in Medicine Hat. Despite that, it sure wasn't an offensive start to the night. No goals in the opening 20 minutes in this one. The Tigers out shot Lethbridge 6-3. When it came to puck possession though, Medicine Hat certainly held the edge in that department. It was fairly physical first period too with one fight. That was between Graham Hood and Cole Grbavac after a solid open-ice hit by Hood on Kale Kessey.

In the second, the Medicine Hat Tigers opened the scoring and broke the scoreless tie with a couple of goals. Emerson Etem and Taylor Gal scored to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead, but after that second goal the Hurricanes responded just 25 second later when Dustin Donaghy scored to make it 2-1. Things started to open up a bit in the second as well, but the shots didn't indicate that. Through two periods the shots were 14-11 Tigers. It continued for the most past to be a defensive game through 40 minutes. A couple of fight in the second two and Cason Machacek and Bretton Cameron dropped the gloves as well Austin Fyten and Mark Isherwood near the end of that second period.

In the third, the Tigers regained their two goal lead about five minutes in when Bretton Cameron scored to give Medicine Hat a 3-1 advantage. The Hurricanes tried to get back into the game but it was too little too late for the Hurricanes on this night as that would be as close as the Canes' would get in this one. The Tigers scored a late one into an empty net from Bretton Cameron to make the final 4-1. The final shots on goal were close favouring the Tigers 24-22. The Hurricanes finish the season with a record of 20-44-5-3 in 72 games. That ties the Canes' with the 1987 Hurricanes for the least amount of wins in franchise. history with 20.

Bancks, Donaghy, and Rowat

Here's a little snap shot at the careers of the now graduated three 20 year olds for the Hurricanes. Linden Rowat played in 215 WHL games with Regina and Lethbridge and finishes with an overall record of 92-80-11-14. Dustin Donaghy played 176 career games in the league with Spokane and Lethbridge and put up 15 goals, 23 assists and 274 penalty minutes. He also has a Memorial Cup to his credit with the Chiefs. Carter Bancks played 263 games all with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. He had 58 goals, 120 assists, 284 penalty minutes and was a +27 since the 2005 season! All the best to all three in the future! It's been a pleasure to calls your names on the radio.

Canes' Holding Exit Meetings Sunday

The Hurricanes coaching and management staff meet with the players in separate meetings today before the two sides go their own ways for about five months. I asked Head Coach/GM Rich Preston what message he plans to get across to those eligible to return for training camp in late August. He says, "Well just to get used to the fact that they have to come back prepared, to have a good summer in terms of their conditioning and what each individual has to work on. Some guys have to work on their foot speed and some on their leg strength. You know it's a real important summer. There's going to be more competition at camp definitely so the guys that go to the head of the class are going to play. We can't miss the playoffs again."

Thank-You

On behalf of Fred Jack, myself, and everyone at CJOC-FM, a big thank-you to you the fans for listening to our broadcast and hockey talk show through this season. It is because of the fans that we love doing what we do. We may not always agree on things, but I suppose that is expected. Thanks for all the support, comments, and questions throughout the year. Here's hoping we as Hurricanes fans all have lots to cheer about in 2010/2011! This blog will continue to have information about the Canes' throughout the off-season as it comes up. I'll be checking in with Rich Preston periodically for updates throughout the summer and will have those interviews for you on here, not to mention all the Bantam draft info and any trades that take place. There may be a few weeks during the course of the next few months with no updates as I'll be taking some time away with my family. Because as we all know, the next five or six months will go fast and before you know it, the Hurricanes and all of us will be back in hockey mode for the start of another season.

Thanks,
Pat