LETHBRIDGE - A pair of goals in the first period and three more in the third helped the Moose Jaw Warriors to a 5-3 win at the ENMAX Centre Wednesday night.
After killing off an early penalty, the Hurricanes would open the scoring about six minutes into the game. Russ Maxwell took a nice pass from Graham Hood and buried his 9th goal of the season behind Thomas Heemskerk to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Just after the mid-way point in the period, Moose Jaw would tie things up. Dylan Hood tapped home a pass by Brandon Anderson, evening up the game a 1-1. Before the end of the period, Moose Jaw would take a 2-1 lead on kind of a flukey goal. Joey Kornelson somehow put the bouncing puck by Anderson and in. That gave the Warriors a one-goal lead going into the dressing room after 20 minutes of play. Moose Jaw held the edge in shots on goal 16-6.
In the second, the Hurricanes would look for the equalizer and Moose Jaw for some insurance, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Moose Jaw heavily out shot Lethbridge through two periods of play 29-12 in this one. The Canes' were unable to generate many scoring chances, but despite being out shot, it was still just a one-goal game in favour of the visitors.
In the third, the Warriors would jump into a two-goal lead. Spencer Edwards moved in and roofed a back-hander into the top corner of the Lethbridge goal to give Moose Jaw a 3-1 lead and a little more breathing room too. The Warriors would then get another one a few minutes later. It was Edwards again while playing 4-on-4 hockey, this time picking up the puck at centre ice and blowing by the Lethbridge defence and beating Anderson to make it 4-1 for the visitors. That would be it for Brandon Anderson on the night. He was pulled in favour of Dylan Tait who finished the game for the Canes' between the pipes. Moose Jaw would add one more before the end of the game. Quinton Howden beat Tait on a Warriors power play. That gave Moose Jaw a 5-1 lead with about five minutes to go. The Hurricanes though managed to get a couple more. Daniel Johnston scored his 5th goal of the season to make it 5-2 Warriors. The Canes' would be awarded a penalty shot shortly after that, but Jacob Berglund was unable to get the shot away. Berglund though would make up for that a minute later, when he fired a long wrist shot, beating Heemskerk. That was his 16th goal of the season and made it a 5-3 game, but that would be as close as the Hurricanes would get on this night. Moose Jaw out shot Lethbridge 41-20 on the night. The power plays looked like this: The Warriors 1 for 4 and Lethbridge 0 for 3.
This was a very chippy game. Lots of penalties and rough play after whistles, especially in the third period. This was a tough loss for Lethbridge given what took place in Prince Albert. The Raiders beat Regina 8-5. That means the Raiders take a two point lead on the Hurricanes for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have five games remaining in the regular season. Give Moose Jaw some credit here. They played, I thought a real good road game and were full value for the win. They didn't give the Hurricanes much to work with. Lethbridge Assistant Coach Chris Chisamore said on our CJOC post-game show that it seemed like the Hurricanes were "skating in sand at times" and just didn't play well in this game. He said Moose Jaw outbattled the Hurricanes and that took it's toll as the game went on.
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes are now back on the road briefly before returning home again Saturday. The Canes' head up to Calgary Friday night to take on the Hitmen in the final meeting of the season between the two teams. Although Calgary won't be making the playoffs this season, they certainly have a chance to play spoiler for a few teams, including Lethbridge and Prince Albert who they face once each in the next week. This is a game the Hurricanes should and need to win if they want to make the final playoff position. That said, Calgary is not a team Lethbridge can afford to take lightly. The Canes' play host to Medicine Hat on Saturday night.
Thanks,
Pat
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The difference in this game was the huge monolith's on the blue line for the Warriors, who stopped the Hurricane smaller forwards, ran roughshod over them and physically handled them. The other factor was Anderson, who let in two stinkers in the first period. Your goaltender must be your best player night in and night out when it is do or die for the playoffs. And once again the Canes let the Warriors get under their skin, with the main antagonist being Brett Lyon.
ReplyDeleteThe schedule still favours PA and with a 2pt cushion, even more so.
This weekend could spell the end of any playoff hopes that the Hurricanes might have, although mathematically they might have a chance. PA plays ED and BRD while LH plays Cal and MH.
Still wonder about those head shots that R. Maxwell and Sutter were on the receiving end of. Just minor penalties? Thought they should have been more.
Effort was not there, very disappointing!
TM
Disappointing game. As TM said forwards were being held up by their big D and no coaching adjustments to dump the puck in deep behind them. The team missed Preston behind the bench. What is supposed to be our number 1 D pair 27 and 2 were on for all 4 even strength goals against and struggled all night yet they played 50% or more of the final half of the game? The coaches were opening the gates and not coaching.
ReplyDeleteIt was a tough game to watch.
This is Junior hockey however and anything can happen re the playoffs....Go Canes Go
Last night this was the difference.
ReplyDeleteMoose Jaw 16-13-12 total 41
Lethbridge 6-6-8 total 20
Goalies Moose Jaw 20 yr old
Lethbridge18 yr old
Moose Jaw Goalie could have had one arm and been blind in one eye and could still win that game.
Moose Jaw Goalie had a team in front of him that came to play. Our Goalie had a team that has already gone home for the summer.
Remember its a TEAM sport
LUD
This was the worst game the Canes played in awhile. Did not appear to be much effort after the first 5 minutes. Moose Jaw is a big tough team. Their chippy play got under the skin of our Canes and they bit taking them off of their game. Very disappointing!
ReplyDeleteMust say though the goal that Howden got was one of the nicest ones this year great passing and puck movement.
Canes will have to play a better game on Friday is they want to win.
Those two head shots should have earned a pair of suspensions to the Warriors.
Loosing to the M Worr. is no shame . But when Anon. says that the smaller forwards were stopped , than how does R. M end up in front for the first goal? I feel that some personnel could be moved to improve the PP and perhaps more speed on the PK. Also not too sure if big bodies with average speed should be used for the 4on4.Go get them canes!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sorry to admit that my towel is resting on my shoulder, though I am not quite ready to "throw it in."
ReplyDeleteTo my surprise, it took all 3 periods to prove it, but Moose Jaw seemed so much faster and better than the Canes in every zone all game it was depressing. We were dominated in every aspect (except player tantrums), and despite MJ's first two goals being soft ones, the result never really seemed to be in question. Their best players made the difference for their team, and ours just weren't good enough. Men against boys. RELENTLESS vs DEFENSELESS.
The Canes seem to enjoy playing in Calgary, but they will not get a point playing this way there, and even though they have already won against the Hat three times this year, even a point just seems too much to ask considering the relative ABSENCE of physical play in this MJ game.
WHY does it seem that WHL refs rarely call an "Instigating" penalty unless it can be made against the Lethbridge Hurricanes? - Richie.
with preston suspeneded you would have thought they would have been up for the game my towel is thrown onto the ice..suspend me
ReplyDeleteheres an idea maybe the team likes playing for Preston, and all you clowns that sit in the stands know nothing?
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea. Today I flew to work on a unicorn with a rocket pack on it's back. If the last post is possible so is this one. You know just as much as everybody else. I would hate to see this team play for a coach it does not like if they indeed do like playing for Rich. Good luck tonight canes.
ReplyDeleteHey Pat and Cane fans theres a fan bus coming up to calgary tonight for the game with close to 50 people, I will rally and get our fans pumped on the way there, so listen for us at the game we will be loud and proud:) GO CANES GO!!!
ReplyDeleteso I was right then eh Rocketman? you people really are out to lunch. So what you are saying is if the Canes beat the Hitmen tonight Iam right and the Cane do prefer to play for Preston
ReplyDelete@TM....I think your comments should have began with your last point. The effort was not there.
ReplyDelete@LUD....The team hasn't gone home for the summer. They just don't have the talent or skill level to compete with most teams in the WHL. That is a simple fact. They have 1 (Tot) 1st Round Bantam pick in the lineup. That isn't going to cut it.
To Anonymous who likes chastise other fans.....NO, YOU'RE NOT RIGHT. YOU'RE DEAD WRONG. The next time you decide you're going to criticize someone else's post, attach a name to it.....otherwise we see you as a coward!! Are you a coward??
hahaha yes Darren im terrified by the bloggers on here thats why Iam a coward, stop chastising me for my post. that is what a blog is about. Feel better now that you know my initials? cause Darren Nobody makes you a somebody?
ReplyDeletesigned FU