EVERETT, WA. - The Everett Silvertips scored three goals in less than five minutes in the second period and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes Saturday night.
A good start for the visitors in this game. Lethbridge opened the scoring courtesy of Reid Duke, who's been red hot for the Hurricanes as of late. Duke took a pass from Jamien Yakubowski and fired home his 7th goal in his last 6 games, giving Lethbridge a 1-0 lead. The Canes were the better team in the opening 20 minutes, out shooting Everett 15-8.
In the second, the Everett Silvertips would make some huge adjustments and come out firing, scoring three goals in a span of 4:55 to open the period. Mirco Meuller, Mitch Skapski, and Tyler Sandhu all found the back of the net, beating Chris Tai in very short order, giving Everett a 3-1 lead. The Hurricanes would get one of those back when the Silvertips got themselves into penalty trouble. Adam Henry scored his second of the season on a 5-on-3 power play to cut the Silvertips lead to 3-2. Both teams had some quality scoring chances after that, but both goalies managed to keep this a one goal game through 40 minutes of play. The shots were even at 23-23.
In the third, both teams would go at it looking to get the edge on the other, but neither goaltender would break and the Everett Silvertips would skate away with a 3-2 victory. The loss drops the Hurricanes record to 22-21-1-5 on the season for 50 points in 29 games. Everett out shot Lethbridge 33-32. Lethbridge finished the night 1/6 on the power play and the Silvertips went 0/5. Reid Duke left the game in the 2nd period with an injury and did not return. Assistant Coach Chris Chisamore wasn't happy with his team's discipline in this game, saying on the CJOC post game show they can't take that many bad penalties at key points in a game and expect to win.
JOHNSTON SIDELINED WITH INJURY
Overage defenceman Dan Johnston will be sidelined for a few weeks after suffering a shoulder injury in Portland Friday. The Canes blueliner had been having a great season up to this point with 8 goals, 26 assists for 34 points in 44 games. Johnston is also the second-highest scoring defenceman in the WHL's Eastern Conference.
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes will close out this U.S. road trip Sunday evening (Jan. 20) when they play the Seattle Thunderbirds in Kent, WA. Both teams will be playing their 3rd game in 3 days this weekend, so neither club really has and edge on the other when it comes to scheduling. Game time from the ShowWare Centre is 6:00 pm MST. The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30. The Hurricanes return home to play host to Calgary next Friday (Jan. 25).
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.
Losing this one was like making a triple bogey the very next hole after making an eagle.... Two steps forward, three steps back. Yet ANOTHER very winable hockey game where we left earnable points on the table. Not even close to the Canes best effort in this one.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the opponents the Canes have ahead of them, coupled with the absence of Johnston and Maxwell and the more consistent play of teams beneath them in the conference standings, it seems likely to me that both Medicine Hat and Kootenay will overtake the Canes before long.
Without significant improvement in their powerplay, improvement of the defensive play of certain forwards, and ELIMINATION of soft goals and selfish penalties by players and coach, the Canes will find themselves in a fight for eighth place with the Saskatoon Blades (& Pats?) by Valentines Day. If they are in that position, I sure don't like their chances of any post-season play... Do you?
On the bright side, Mckechnie was relentless in this one and a couple of the other Canes (8,15,20) that seldom get significant minutes were played much more than usual and really tried to make something happen.
Unfortunately there were too many players very willing to lose, and certain other huge minute munchers and so called "leaders" were more interested in cruising &/or taking unsportsmanlike penalties to negate opportunity to gain the victory.
Very frustrating to watch! Richie
Tip for aspiring WHL GMs: To maximize the value of your asset for shareholders when trading away a 3rd overall bantam pick at age 17, before agreeing to a bad trade, be sure to obtain in return a 3rd rounder and maybe even a player that can contribute on ice before the end of the season?
ReplyDeletecouldn't have said it any better, i agree Richie, funny you mentioned Golf, good analogy thou. nuff said
ReplyDeletejtf
After 5 games Merk is 2 g 1 assist and a minus 3. hmmmm
ReplyDeleteLosing Johnston is HUGE! Can't emphasize his importance to this team anymore. His presence is VITAL. We'll now see just how the defence fairs without him.
ReplyDeleteI guess the Portland game was "lightning in a bottle" so to speak. This was certainly a beatable team.
Darren
I agree Richie. The playoffs weren't a sure bet WITH Johnston, so they're definitely up in the air without him!
ReplyDeleteDarren