LETHBRIDGE - The Brandon Wheat Kings ended a 4 game losing skid with a 5-3 victory in Lethbridge on Sunday evening. The Wheaties scored 3 goals in just over 5 minutes in the second period which turned out to be the difference.
A rather slow start for both teams in this game. The Brandon Wheat Kings though would kick thing off on a two-on-one rush. Jayce Hawryluk fed the puck to John Quennville and beat Ty Rimmer to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Hurricanes would get that back before the end of the period when Jamal Watson banked a shot off a Wheat King defenceman to tie things up at 1-1. That was Watson's 7th goal of the season. That's the way the period would end. The Hurricanes held the edge in shots 12-6.
In the second, the Canes would take their first lead with a goal less than a minute into the period. Jaimen Yakubowski took a great pass from Russ Maxwell and roofed it over Corbin Boes to make it 2-1 Lethbridge. That was Yakubowski's 7th of the season. The Wheat Kings would claw their way back near the midway point of the period when Jayce Hawryluk was sprung free on a breakaway. He snapped it over the glove of Rimmer to even the game at 2-2. The Wheaties weren't done there. Just a few minutes after, John Quennville would get his 2nd of the night to make it 3-2 Wheat Kings and then right after that, Jack Palmer would score on the power play to give Brandon a 4-2 lead. The Wheat Kings scored three times in a span of 5:10. Brandon would take that two goal lead into the dressing room after two periods. The Canes held the edge in shots 25-22.
In the third, the Hurricanes would make it a one goal game early when Brady Ramsay hammered a rocket slapper by Boes on the power play to cut the Wheaties lead to 4-3. That was Ramsay's 6th goal of the season and made it a one goal contest. The Hurricanes put on a huge push after that to try and get the tying goal, but Corbin Boes stood on his head for the rest of night and shut the door as the Brandon Wheat Kings would skate away with a 5-3 victory. Chad Robinson scored one into an empty net to seal it for the Wheaties. The loss drops the Canes record to 13-10-1-1. It's also the first time the Hurricanes have lost back-to-back games since the first weekend in October. Lethbridge out shot Brandon 42-32 in this one. The Wheaties went 1/6 on the power play while the Hurricanes finished the night 1/3.
HURRICANES THIS WEEK
Our next edition of Hurricanes This Week hit the airwaves Monday night (Nov. 19) at 7:00 pm MST. Joining Fred Jack and myself on the program will be Head Coach and GM Rich Preston, Hurricanes forward Brady Ramsay, and Hurricanes Board Member Dick Gibson.
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes will host the Calgary Hitmen Tuesday night (Nov. 20). This will be the first of 6 meetings this season between the two Central Division rivals. The Canes and Hitmen will also play Wednesday (Nov. 21) at the Saddledome in Calgary. These two teams have very similar records and with both clubs almost in the same position here in the Eastern Conference, this upcoming home-and-away series will be a big one. The Hurricanes will travel to Red Deer Friday (Nov. 22) for their only other game in the coming week.
Thanks,
Pat
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No excuses, this is a game they should have won. Brandon, three games in three days, missing their top scorer and on a four game losing streak. All these factors indicated a Hurricane win. But, if they are not going to play their style of hockey for 60 minutes, and not just 10 minutes here or there. The result will be what we witnessed tonight.
ReplyDeleteAxel is becoming a liability with his senseless penalties and lack of focus up front. I still think Preston needs to make a deal for a big, fast, tough forward in the 18-19 range that can pot 20 goals and make room for the smaller forwards to wheel and deal.
RJ
I totally agree with RJ regarding Axel, there is a reason why his butt was glued to the bench in the 3rd. I thought the 4th line had a great night, especially Wong and Laurencelle who earned those extra minutes in the 3rd. Two games in a row where an awful 2nd period cost them the game. Hopefully there is a 60 monute effort against the Hitmen on Tuesday.
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Agree with RJ. The team looked tired resulting in too many short handed situations 6 and lack of finish around the net. As many have said before we are one or two skilled veteran forwards away compete at the top of the division. Scott.
ReplyDeleteA couple of problems in both games. One is what the heck happened to our d men. Play defense and let the forwards do there jobs up front. If you are going to pinch or decide to go on a rush one of the forwards better realise it and drop back. I think DJ is one of the best dmen in the league but he is trying to do to much. Dan pick your spots cause you do not have to go offensive ever time you have the puck. Why are 3 of the lines different when one guy gets hurt. Yes we definetly need another big forward but finding one that can score 20 goals could cost alot. Axel is a problem even worse than what most think Harper is. Send Axel home and call up Olynek. Then have the lines look like this Ram with Laur and McK. Maw witb Yak and Duke. Merk with Lever and Wat. Oly with Harp and Wong. They could also release Sofllas to make more room on the roster. AJ
ReplyDeleteAJ, Johnston is 3rd on the whole team in points (ahead of both Watson and Merkely with less GP) averaging nearly a point a game and is +13. The next closest + on the team is +7. I think he's doing just fine.
ReplyDeleteExcited for the game tonight. I think the boys have gotten away from “Keep it simple stupid” and lost because of it. Our team is too young to not keep it simple. I thought Remi had a great game and is starting to show up every shift. I don’t think it will be long and he is going to break through (50 points plus a yr). Just another late round steal. HLR
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