EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oil Kings delivered a serious blow to the Lethbridge Hurricanes playoff hopes with a lop-sided 8-1 win over the Canes Tuesday night at Rexall Place.
Not the start the Hurricanes were hoping for in this game. Just over a minute in, Jordan Hickmott picked up the puck at centre ice and blew into the Lethbridge zone and beating Brandon Anderson low along the ice to give the Oil Kings a very early 1-0 lead. The Canes' would get that one back before the half-way mark of the period. Brody Sutter moved in short-handed on a partial breakaway and put the puck between the legs of Edmonton's Laurent Brossoit to tie the game up at 1-1. That was Sutter's 16th goal of the season. Edmonton would regain the one-goal lead late, when Stephane Legault took a rebound off Anderson and fired the puck top corner to give the home team 2-1. Edmonton held the edge in shots on goal 12-7 after 20 minutes. The Hurricanes had four power play chances in the first period, but were unable to score with the extra man.
In the second, the Edmonton Oil Kings would blow the game wide open. The Oil Kings received an early power play and T.J. Foster made no mistake on a little tic-tac-toe passing play, burying the puck by Anderson for a 3-1 Edmonton lead. The Oil Kings would get two more before the end of the period. First off it was Marek Hrbas who took a nice pass on an odd-man rush up the ice, beating Anderson to make it 4-1. A few minutes after that, Rhett Rachinski took the puck off the side of the Canes' goal and put it over Anderson and in. That would make the score 5-1 Edmonton and that is the way the period would end. Brandon Anderson was pulled from the Lethbridge goal after that 5th Edmonton goal. The Oil Kings out shot Lethbridge 26-17 after 40 minutes of play.
In the third, Edmonton would keep it coming big time. They would add three more in a span of just over two minutes to add a little salt in the Hurricanes wound. Dylan Wruck skated over the Lethbridge blueline and hammered a shot by Dylan Tait to make it 6-1 Oil Kings. Then on a power play, Stephane Legault took a feed from Mark Reners and fired a shot a shot by Tait to put the Oil Kings ahead 7-1. They were not done there either. Not too long after that, Edmonton would go up 8-1 when Travis Ewanyk beat Tait while the Oil Kings were short-handed. That would be the way this game would end. The Oil Kings held the edge in shot 39-23 on the night. Power plays: Edmonton went 2 for 6 and Lethbridge finished the night 0 for 7. Both teams scored once short-handed.
This loss for the Hurricanes really puts this team's playoff hopes in doubt. The Canes' trail Prince Albert by two points with two games to go in the regular season. The Raiders have one game in hand which is on Wednesday when P.A. plays Calgary. For Lethbridge to make the post-season will be tough now, especially with the loss in Edmonton.
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes will close out their regular season schedule this weekend with a home-and-away set with the Kootenay ICE. Kootenay has been in a battle with Medicine Hat for the last several weeks for 3rd and 4th spot in the Eastern Conference. The ICE though, likely won't go any higher than 4th place and if that's the case they will meet up with Moose Jaw in the first round of the WHL post-season which begins next weekend. Kootenay has been one of the league's most consistent teams over the course of the last decade or more when it comes to clinching a playoff spot. They don't really have a lot to play for in these final two regular season games, unlike the Hurricanes who are still hoping to find a way to sneak in. Prior to the Friday game at the ENMAX Centre, the Hurricanes will give out their annual player awards. Anyone still wanting to vote for the Canes' Fan Favourite player in 2010-2011 can head to the Hurricanes website. Voting closes on Thursday.
Thanks,
Pat
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Well, this proves that we don't deserve to make the playoffs. What I don't get is that the players and coaching staff always acknowledge that they have to throw everything they have at teams and more in order to make the playoffs. They say that they really want to make it and win these "must win" games, but come game time, it seems like hockey is the last thing on their minds. This is just disappointing, knowing that they have the potential to play well, but for some reason they just don't show up to play. I'm not saying this is the case for all the players, but for most it just seems like they don't give a crap anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the matter here?
Coaching is the problem!!!! The Boards needs to get rid of this entire staff at the end of the season!
ReplyDeleteUgly, ugly, ugly. The team which includes players, coaches and management should be ashamed of such a performance in another "must win" game. Hey Anon 10.33 don't use the word crap it might get you tossed from here.
ReplyDeleteTM
Game, set and match. Enough said.
ReplyDeleteNo way Preston gets fired with the $$$ left owed to him on a team that is already taking a loss. They have to eat another year or 2 of this. Just wondering if there are any good recipes for crow that anybody knows?
ReplyDeletewow where are the posters that are always saying that we are to hard on the team..this team is and has been in trouble all year, they are poor coached..poor talent..and poorly run.. and you cna say all you want about the future..but they stinkkkk..
ReplyDeleteVery UN Charlie Sheen of them.
ReplyDeleteDuh, LOSING!
When RP was hired expectations were low for on ice performance. Results have been even worse than expected.
ReplyDeleteBased on what is at stake I would think that RP will be sacked and the Canes eat the final year owed to him. MK can take a hike too! I'm tired of hearing the argument that this coach or that player is a really nice or good person. Beat It! This city wants a winner! Change the culture already and bring in a junior coach with junior success already. Pony up the dough to get the best. Doesn't this city deserve that much? That question is directed at the board.
GDC
like it or not RP isn't going anywhere. they are building a team by drafting and that takes time, and up to this point he has done exactly that. the 25% off next year has very little to do with years, it has everything to do with keeping a butts in the seats until those daft pick come of age...its a good plan but how do you tell a city that has had it with a loosing team to just Wait a few more years..plain jane, you just don't.
ReplyDeleteProblem is this...RP and Co. have shown no ability to lead or develop players, junior or pro! He is the problem and not the answer. Hell, he can't even draft well either. He's quite clueless and the proof of that is staring us in the face. Just look at the standings and the player stats and his tantrums. Turf him before he destroys these incoming drafted players careers because that would be the biggest shame of all.
ReplyDeleteGDC
It's funny that we buy into the fact that it's going to take Rich 4-5 years to rebuild. It does not take that long and you don't have to wait for draft picks. Let's see if it takes the Hitmen 4-5 years to rebuild. To the point of spending money on a vet junior coach. We just did that. At least the canes did not have the nerve to ask for a playoff deposit this year. If (holding out hope) the canes do miss the playoffs I can't wait to see the interviews trying to explain the guarantee Rick boasted about. He and the organization have to do something for the fans. Canes PR department have something ready because one things fans hate is being lied to. You guarantee something and do not try to make it right when you fail to keep up your end of the bargain. Any other reputable business would be taken to task if they did not live up to things they guarantee. Do you think car dealers can just say meh “so your new car broke down driving off the lot.” Whether it is Rich resigning/firing (which he should do rather than being fired due to him guaranteeing success), a PR stunt or something for people who invested in season tickets something has to be done. Canes, how you treat this situation will show a lot about how you feel about the fans. I hope it does not come to this but be prepared. Also why do we have to wait to get better? We will have 2 out of the top 5 picks this year (probably). Why do we have to keep them and wait? Those picks have massive value and could be used to build now with multiple players rather than waiting through 3 more years of the same bad music when the opposition scores. It does not take that long when you develop players. This is one of the only times in my life I have seen a team regress throughout a season. I don’t blame the players. Watching M Maxwell shows that the kid has talent but no guidance. Again look at the hitmen. They have solid players coming through the pipeline and have vastly improved since the start of the season. That is development. What have we done? Kept all our 19-20 year olds the past 2 season while not getting replacement value when we knew we had no shot. We are going to be dropping a bunch of 20 year olds next year when we could have got something this year for them. The Ashton trade had to be made but noting else has been done. It’s nice to see Rich trying to save his job trying to get into the 8 seed rather than having a long term plan for the team. Prime example, starting Anderson every single game down the stretch when he has regressed since the start of the year. An obvious desperation move by Rich. What we have witnessed this season was depressing, frustrating and a joke to all junior fans. I hope the canes board is reading this because I think I speak for lots of frustrated fans. I love the Canes and I have lost the excitement to come to games. That’s the last thing you want your customers to feel. I think I’m done.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Anonymous 1:35. Rich needs to resign/retire and his associate resign or be fired. Hopefully we see some action shortly after the season ends. Lets hire someone that knows a little about defence, Matt has taught/developed nothing!
ReplyDelete1:35 you said it..RP and the entire coaching needs to go in fact get rid of macnaughton on the board he suxs too.. no wonder draft picks want out players want out billets have been quoted that the kids want out.. its a shame
ReplyDeletei agree with you all, in fact i was glad that the season was coming to an end 4 the simple reason that this year and last were just plain painful, no drive, no direction, nothing. after 20 years of season tickets it comes down to i'm tired of watching a team that is the toilet of the whl.Ive sat with so many people in the last number of year that have said enough is enough and walked a way 4 good...that pretty much says it all.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard the word "patience?" Miracles don't happen overnight!! These are the problems we teach our young ones today is lack of patience, acceptance, tolerance! How about giving praise, encouragement and support when the team and coaching is down. People in this town are so eager to give up and call it quits and complain about every little thing! What does that show these young men playing who have their hearts into this game and are facing alot of challenges? Let's keep it real and in perspective here!
ReplyDeleteYou must have watched a different season if you think this team played its heart out. I can name maybe 2 players on the ice that gave it on a consistent basis. Patience is something where you expect gradual improvement. This is the fans did not see. This team was better on opening day than it is today and that is an inarguable fact which can only be blamed on the coaching staff. The board has no clue about on ice hockey (being they are mostly businessmen and not hockey guys) so what can they add. There have been past teams that endeared themselves to the city. How? Hard work. Look at teams that had players like Mark Smith, O'grady, Bancks, Wuchturl etc. Not a single player on this team who looked like they cared. This was not a group you felt gave you 100% every night. I called it at the start of the season (when we rode Anderson) that it appeared to be a smoke and mirrors record. The flaws of this team were obvious from the start, and more obvious was the fact that Rich was way in over his head. You do not bring back the worst team in the league and expect different results. There was a ton of local dead weight on this team. WTF, Machacek, Tait, Ross, M Maxwell are all players who took up spots for younger players who we could develop rather than ensuring we have guaranteed sales to friends and family. .Rich seems to be lazy in his scouting and player decisions. Also way too many gingers. Rich has done nothing to improve this team in the next 1-2 years. We have a stockpile of picks that have heard nothing but bad things about the organization. The saddest part is that this was an old team and now we have not that deep of a stockpile of 18 year olds to lead this team. I fear next year will be the same as this year. The top line will all be 20 and will do most of the work while the rest of the team stagnates. I just hope to see our prospects on the final game. At least they can get to know how it feels to ride the pine for Rich while he plays only his top players no matter what. At least Rich does not live in Lethbridge so he does not have to look the fans in the eye all summer long.
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact there are a couple drafted players that want trades , from the lack of love shown to them and the empty promises of being called up this year,why the heck would any up and comming player wanna come into this gong show!
ReplyDeleteThe time has come,the time is now, that the SHAREHOLDERS of this hockey club take a long hard look at putting this club up for sale. As long as there is a board of directors (no matter who is on it) there will always be grumbling and complaining whether warranted or not.By selling the club to a private owner, who has deep pockets and can hire top notch hockey people, then and only then can we as fans expect a consistently competitive team,like Brandon, Kootenay, Vancouver, Spokane. In defense of any board, regardless of who is on it, their hands are financially tied and therefore limits their options for hiring top notch hockey people. The best thing this board could do is say, "enough is enough" time to change the fortunes of this club and let the league no it is up for sale. I wonder how many shareholders would give up their "ownership" of this club for the betterment of hockey in this city? For those worried about it moving,never would happen, the league has said that more than once that they need this franchise here. What owner would not want to be moving into basically a brand new building and a stockpile of young talent? Would a private owner drop ticket prices or raise them? Would it stop the complaining and grumbling by the fans? Not likely, but it would take the heat off of any board of directors, and it would bring respectability to this franchise, the players and this city.
ReplyDeleteTIME FOR THE "FOR SALE" SIGN TO GO UP.
TM
i said that years ago, its not so much about the last few years its about a group of people that run this team that have noooooooo clue about this game or who should be running this team, the board has proven over and over again that there useless when if comes to hockey and its operation in this town...let face it there is a big difference between running a chicken joint and knowing who and what works best in a major Jr franchise.......
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted that after two seasons and three quarters of a million in real losses, no single owner would keep this team in Lethbridge.
ReplyDelete