KELOWNA, BC - The Hurricanes will continue this B.C. road trip tonight in Kamloops when they take on the Blazers.This will be the second meeting in the last week between these two teams. Kamloops won last Wednesday's game in overtime in Lethbridge after giving up a couple of big leads in that one. The Hurricanes lost in Chilliwack two nights ago 3-1 to the Bruins. With that loss, the pressure continues to build for the Hurricanes. They have 8 games remaining and some tough opponents in these final few weeks of the regular season. For them to make the playoffs, they will have to pull off at least 4 wins in the final 8 games in my opinion, maybe even 5. Prince Albert has a two point lead on the Canes' heading into action tonight. The Raiders play Moose Jaw this evening and Kootenay tomorrow, both at home. Nothing is over yet, but victories are very crucial now. Time is no question a big factor.
The Hurricanes arrived back in Kelowna about 3:00 in the morning Thursday. They had a day off yesterday and practiced in the afternoon before resting up the rest of the day in preparation for this game against the Blazers. Kamloops has been playing some pretty good hockey lately. They picked up 9 out of a possible 10 points during their Central Division swing last week. They're coming off a loss at home on Wednesday to Kelowna. Kamloops is tied with Prince George for the final playoff spot in the West, just a couple of points ahead on Chilliwack. So this game tonight means a lot for both teams.
I'll have Gregg Drinnan from the Kamloops Daily News on our second intermission this evening. Lots to talk about with Gregg, especially with recent rumours in the Victoria Times Colonist this week about a possible relocation of a WHL team to the B.C. Capital City as early as 2012-2013.
Game time tonight from Interior Savings Centre is 8:00 (MST). The pre-game show on CJOC at 7:30.
Thanks
Pat
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Heard a rumour its the canes going to victoria
ReplyDeleteR.S.
Hahahaha, good one!
ReplyDeleteThink about it! No way the Canes are going to Victoria.
That did give me a chuckle though. :)
What was the feeling about relocation amongst Chilli when you were there, Pat?
Yeah it certainly won't be Lethbridge! I know Chilliwack was mentioned in that article but I don't think the Bruins would move either. PG and Kootenay were the two likely names that I keep hearing here in BC. We will see if any of this has any truth to it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck tonight Canes!
ReplyDeleteKootenay would make complete sense as despite having a winning/competitve club year in and year out, the ICE can't draw big crowds. It would not surprise me if Kootenay moved out of Cranbrook and headed to the Island. With a good building, much larger population to draw from and a stronger economic base, it would make sense. As for PG going back to the island....they have just announced that they are in the bidding for the 2013 Mem Cup, but that is a pipe dream at best. One good thing if there is a relocation to the Victoria, it might put pressure on the city of Nanimo to build a new rink in order to get a second WHL franchise on the island.
ReplyDeleteHere's a good idea.......Move the Canes to the island, and relocate the Ice to Lethbridge. We would end up with a winning competitive team every season.
TM
lol Tm the blog was slow so i had to start a rumour , the Brodskys would have to sell the P.G.franchise if it was to go to victoria as they moved it out of there and were hated then now they would be worse..
ReplyDeleteR.S.
Ok R.S......sometimes things do drag on a bit on this blog. But you are right on with the Brodsky clan. Moving the Cougars back to Victoria or Nanaimo (spelled it right this time)would be a great move for all the teams in the WHL because it would end that nightmare drive to PG. The only people who would be disappointed would be the 1700 fans who show up for their games.
ReplyDeleteI still like Kootenay moving to Lethbridge and the Hurricanes moving to Victoria. HA HA
Question tonight. Can the Hurricanes pull off a win in "Loops" and will MJ do the Canes a favor by beating PA? Trouble is, MJ has little incentive as they likely won't catch Kootenay and Edmonton won't catch MJ.
TM
maka laka derka derka.
ReplyDeleteI am just sending out a pre mature statement. If indeed the canes miss the playoffs everybody is going to be calling Preston out for "the guarantee". Canes fans do not post ideas yet (wait till the dreaded mathamatically eliminated day) but please think of some for Rich in the case we do not make it. I think a dunk tank at the enmax might do the trick, a little unoriginal so we need better. I'm giving that a 99% chance of not happening but I think we should get creative in thinking of ideas for him to live up to his word. Tonight should be a great game as these 2 teams have been very entertaining this year. Go canes go!
ReplyDeleteAcutally Anonymous 4:25, you might have something there. According to all those that know him including PAT S.,the Hurricanes new business manager loves promotional ideas, and apparently if anyone could come up with an idea along those lines (Preston's guarantee not being met)then he could.
ReplyDeleteTM
Since we are talking hypothetically then I would hypothetically like to say that the Ice are welcome to relocate but I don't want their broadcast crew as part of the deal.
ReplyDeleteGDC
I have been very optimistic up until the recent Chilliwack loss at our chances of making the playoffs this year; now I am not so sure.
ReplyDeleteNow that the team has s.t.b./f.t.d. in our "easy" games against Edmonton and Chilliwack, now all they have to do is beat all the best teams in the dub to get in to the post-season.
Well, if the guys pull it off, they will sure deserve it, and I will be cheering for them to do exactly that!
Most importantly for me, our head coach just doesn't seem to be able to make the difference that I would expect of someone with his resume. The best decision he has made so far in 2011 is playing Kuvaev tonight... GO GET EM ALEX!! - Richie.
Hey canes fans theres a bus going to calgary this friday for the game heres some info...-
ReplyDelete-$30 / seat includes a game ticket and transportation to Calgary
-Fully Licensed, Adults (18+ only)
-The bus will be leaving Scores South at 3:45 on Friday March 11 and will be back in town around midnight.
- The bus seats 56 people
Contact Arthur at 403-327-5687 to purchase.
Come cheer on the Canes to a playoff spot. It's really tight right now.
ryley bennefeild played in portland last night! imagine that a g.m. that know that getting your prospects into games to develop is so important ! shows why portland is a far superior team , here in lethbridge we just let our prospects sit and rott!!
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be Kootenay being relocated. From all reports, they're not supporting the team there and are in financial trouble. The owner(s) are not happy and are done with Cranbrook fans....from the reports I've heard.
ReplyDelete