LETHBRIDGE - The Calgary Hitmen scored twice in the first period and added two more as they beat the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-1 Saturday night in front of just over 4300 fans at the ENMAX Centre.
Just like Friday night, the Hurricanes would open the scoring for the second night in a row versus Calgary. Graham Hood's shot from the boards, somehow beat Calgary's Chris Driedger from not the best angle to give the Canes a 1-0 lead. That would be the Captain's 6th goal of the year. Calgary would get that one back when Zane Jones found the back of the net, beating Ty Rimmer on the shortside to even the score at 1-1. Before the end of the period, Calgary would take the lead. Zane Jones made a great move to get in front of the goal. His shot was stopped, but Brady Brassart was there to cash in the rebound to put the Hitmen ahead 2-1. Ty Rimmer was very good for the Canes in goal in the opening frame, coming up with several key stops. It was a fairly wide open period as well with Calgary out shooting Lethbridge 19-14.
In the second, things would settle down somewhat. The Hurricanes would press to get the tyiung goal, but late in the period the Hitmen ended up getting some insurance on their lead. Jaynen Rissling's point shot found it's way through, beating Rimmer on the blocker side. That goal put the Hitmen ahead 3-1 heading into the dressing room after 40 minutes of play. Calgary held the edge in shots 32-24.
In the third, the Canes just couldn't find a way to beat Driedger in the Calgary goal. The Hitmen would add one more before the end of the game when Greg Chase snapped a shot over Rimmer. That made it 4-1 Hitmen and that's the way this game would end. The Hitmen out shot Lethbridge 39-29 in this game. The Canes went 0/6 on the power play and Calgary finished the game 0/2. The loss drops the Hurricanes record to 18-17-1-4 on the season. Still in 5th spot in the Eastern Conference. Lethbridge has played 40 games already this season and along with Kamloops and Swift Current that's the most to date by any team in the WHL. On the CJOC post game show, Hurricanes Assistant Coach Chris Chisamore commented this game was very "frustrating to watch."
NEXT UP
That does it for the 2012 portion of the Hurricanes schedule. They turn the calendar now and head into 2013 with a busy stretch next week, playing 4 games in 6 days. The Canes next action is on New Year's Day on Tuesday as they travel to Swift Current and play the Broncos in a matinee game at 1:00 pm. The pre-game show on CJOC at 12:30. The Hurricanes return home to play host to Edmonton on Thursday (Jan. 3). They have next Friday off and then welcome Swift Current Saturday (Jan. 5) and Moose Jaw Sunday (Jan. 6) to the ENMAX Centre.
Thanks,
Pat
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Didn't hear or see the game (good to see a full house at the Enmax!), but 0-6 on the PP says a lot as does being outshot with only 5 shots in the 3rd period. Not enough forecheck or hard enough on the puck perhaps?? Sounds like the older/bigger Hitmen imposed their game on the Canes.
ReplyDeleteDarren
I was at the game, the way the boys started with their usual speed and intensity, it looked to be the beginning of a very quick, entertaining game. A very well played first period, by two good, seemingly equal teams.
ReplyDeleteWhen the second period started, the Canes were like a different team. They seemed to lose a full gear of speed, they were getting pushed around, they were getting beat to pucks, and it almost looked like they ran out of gas. It almost seemed like the boys had given up, and were allowing Calgary to do what ever they wanted. If it wasn't for the heroics of Rimmer, the score could have easily doubled. We have talked ad nauseum on this blog about how young the team is, and how they make young mistakes, but it is absolutely unacceptble for them to play with this lack of interest, especially at this time of the season. I hope that RP has something up his sleeve to address this situation, if it was me, an hour long "bag" skate would be in the cards
Chuck
I think Calgary has a lot to with the slow second period. A big defence that chips and hooks and holds can tire you out, and it appeared as though there were some tired legs on the Canes. Not an excuse, they should be better prepared. And a bag skate would just tire them out. as a solution, I suggest calling Prince George and offering some prime prospects for Alex Forsberg.
ReplyDeleteThe Canes did play good in the 1 period but looked like none of them worked out during the break and ran out of gas. What is it with the good teams getting away with all of the crap after whistles, slashing, cross checking etc. after every play. The refs were terrible in this game as were the linesmen (at least 3 missed offsides that were not even close). Time to call out the captain again. After a good opening period where did Graham go. The team was getting pushed around and he was nowhere to be seen, finally at the end of the game Yak gets in a fight and Hood is beaking at the guy after the fight. Come on Graham step up these young smaller guys need you AJ.
ReplyDeletePP is horrible. Same guys all the time. One of the worst pp in the league. Try something different. The Canes will not be a top team until they figure this out. First 2 lines other than Maxwell and Ramsey are grinders. Yak, Mechechnie, Hood, Bloomquist are all grinders. One grinder per pp. The 2 with the best hands are Yak and Mcenechnie. Hood and Bloomquist are 3rd liners on any other team. Rich is not developing the 95s. They see no pp time. If the pp was 30 percent then I could see why but it's not! In fact its awful. This team does not have a superstar. At the rate we are going they may bubble into the playoffs. None of the 95s will get NHL drafted because despite the fact they were drafted high (out of bantam) as skilled players, they never developed in that way that was expected. Who's fault it that...drafting or developing????Its time to call a spade a spade RP Lethbridge will stumble and we will reamain one of the only teams in the league without a drafted player. They will never reach their potential. The rebuild in Lethbridge started with their 95s and its time to see what they have. Showcase them! Our current top 2 lines are good enouph to possibly make the playoffs but thats where it ends. I don't see this happening with RP though so get ready for mediocracy followed by rebuild again in 2-3 years. Players do not develop in Lethbridge and its known around the league. Soon you will be trades for some older nobodies because they young prospects did not develop as we hoped...sound familiar! I hate to say this but I've seen this movie before. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe 11:35am comments do hit home. We have said time and time again how poor the training and coaching are and rolling 3 to 4 lines on the pp is evidence of that. It is so unfortunate. Great young team with exceptional talent and Axel playing the top line on the pp. Put Ramsay on the point with Johnston and roll Maxwell, McKechnie and Yak. Or keep Pilon out there and throw Ramsey to the wing. It's ridiculous to have grinders out there when we should be putting those who have proven themselves as scorers. Jamal has speed but is not a pp guy. Not yet anyways. Nobody other than ramsay, maxwell, mcKechnie, yak and merkley should be out there. Get a clue. NBJ
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