Wednesday 2 October 2013

Hitmen Battle Back & Beat Hurricanes 5-3

LETHBRIDGE - The Calgary Hitmen came back twice from a one goal deficit to beat the Hurricanes 5-3 Wednesday night.

A fast start for the home team in this game. Just a couple of minutes in, Jamal Watson hammered home the puck off a scramble in front of Calgary goal to give Lethbridge a 1-0 lead. That was Watson's team-leading 3rd goal of the season. The Canes had a solid opening 20 minutes. They had three power plays, but were unable to score. The Hitmen had a couple of chances as well. Lethbridge would hold on to that lead for the whole period. The Canes out shot Calgary 15-8. The period ended with Canes Coach Drake Berehowsky and Calgary bench boss Mike Williamson exchanging some heated words on the ice as the Hurricanes staff walked across the ice to their dressing room. Neither coach got to each other as the officials stepped in to break up the conversation.

In the second, the Hitmen would pick things up a bit and eventually tie the game. Pavel Padakin shots beat Boes up high. The goal went to video review and it was upheld by the off-ice officials. The on-ice call by the referee was a good goal. That tied the game at 1-1. The Hurricanes would re-take the lead with a power play goal, thanks to Brady Ramsay. He roofed it over Chris Driedger to give Lethbridge a 2-1 lead. Calgary though would storm back to tie it again and then take the lead for the first time. Greg Chase put the puck by Boes to tie the game at 2-2 and then with just a couple of minutes to go in the period, Jaynen Rissling's point shot got by Boes to put Calgary ahead 3-2 through 40 minutes of play. The Hitmen stormed back on the shot clock as well, out shooting the Canes 29-21 after two periods of play.

In the third, the Hurricanes would tie the game. A great pass from Sam McKechnie to Jamal Watson and he would get behind the Calgary defence and score his 2nd of the game and 4th of the season to even the score at 3-3. The Hitmen though would get that back soon after and then add some insurance to seal the game. Ben Thomas' shot got by Boes high to the blocker side and then in the dying minutes of the game, Zane Jones would score to make it 5-3 Calgary and that's the way the game would end. Calgary had a strong final two periods in this game. When it was all said and done, the Hurricanes were out shot 44-28. The loss drops the Canes record to 1-3-1 in 5 games this season. Lethbridge played a disciplined game, taking only two minor penalties.  The Hitmen went 0/2 on the power play and the Hurricanes 1/4.

The Canes had 5 players out of the line-up Wednesday. Reid Duke and Macoy Erkamps are getting close to returning from injury. Axel Blomqvist suffered an injury in Edmonton and will be a few days. Reid Nemeth and Chris Tai were both healthy scratches.

Lethbridge Subway Super Series Tickets On-Sale

The Lethbridge Hurricanes announced a new mini-pack on sale for all hockey fans! Fans can purchase the Subway Super Series Mini-Pack for only $75.00. That includes one (1) ticket to the Subway Super Series game on November 28th AND three (3) Adult Flex tickets to any Hurricanes home game during the 2013-2014 regular season. The Lethbridge Hurricanes are excited to be chosen as the host site for the sixth and final game in the Super Series on November 28th which features teams of the Canadian National Junior Team competing against the Russian National Junior Team. Tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait until the last minute to miss out on this exciting international hockey game on November 28th. Tickets for the Subway Super Series mini-packs can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Ticket Centre or by calling (403) 329-7328.

Next Up

The Hurricanes will continue this short home stand on Saturday (Oct. 5) when they play their first opponent this season from outside the Central Division. The Seattle Thunderbirds will make their way to Lethbridge for the only meeting of the season between the two hockey clubs.  Game time is 7:00 pm MDT at the ENMAX Centre. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. Fred and I will host the post-game show after that game LIVE from the ENMAX Centre lounge. After the Seattle game, he Canes won't play again until next Wednesday (Oct. 9) when Kootenay comes to town. The Hurricanes will then head off to B.C. for a week-long road trip starting October 11th in Victoria.

Thanks,
Pat

5 comments:

  1. If that was a goal by Calgary in the Second then I just don't know what to think about the video Review process. That was pretty clear it wasn't a goal. I know if it's inconclusive it stands but even the monkey sitting behind me scratches his ass and said NO GOAL!!!

    Peter

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    1. Great game to watch, I thought. The first really nice PP activity and puck movement of the early season for the Canes... that unfortunately just didn't connect other than Ramsay's water-bottle blasting PP beauty!! THAT was the true "Goal of the Game." Canes vets are starting to play in the Drakes' system much better. Canes "D" handled Hitmen stars Brassart, Padakin, and Virtanen really well. Sayers had a couple beauty hits! Lots of positives against a really strong team!

      Too bad the clueless officials ruined another game for the Canes!

      Hitmen Goal? Because of the shape of the bottom of the net, if that Padakin shot had actually crossed the goal line from that shot angle, it could NOT possibly have bounced any direction except INTO the net. Not even close. I don't understand how the officials got that wrong TWICE?

      I agree with Peter, why have off-ice officials if they can't overturn an obvious wrong call? It took them 5 minutes with all the obvious evidence to make the wrong decision??

      Wong's high-sticking penalty -

      Rule 60 - High-sticking
      60.1 High-sticking - A “high stick” is one which is carried above the height of the opponent’s shoulders. Players and goalkeepers must be in control and responsible for their stick. However, a player is permitted accidental contact on an opponent if the act is committed as a normal windup or follow through of a shooting motion. A wild swing at a bouncing puck would not be considered a normal windup or follow through and any contact to an opponent above the height of the shoulders shall be penalized accordingly.

      Wong carried the puck. Wong shot the puck at the net. The Hitmen defender (who was leaning forward to try to deflect the puck) took the (barely shoulder height) follow through in the face. (The Drake tried to explain this to the stripes but apparently they don't speak "hockey?")

      Were ALL the on and off-ice officials just Hitmen fans dressed early for Halloween, or are WHL officials truly this incompetent? (Rhetorical; you don't have to see many WHL games to know the answer to this one)

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  2. It's very hard to win a hockey game when you only play one period. 15 shots in the first and then only 13 for the next two periods. Just for one game i would love to see them play a whole 60 minutes.

    the other Peter

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  3. Let's face facts, as "the other Peter" said you can't play 20 minutes of a game and expect to win. Once again the Hurricanes were badly outshot. This trend can't continue if they expect to win on a consistent basis.
    You can see that things "systems" are starting to work. Puck movement was much improved over their home opener. Penalty Kill is solid. Power play is coming. Last night must have been an off night for Boes. Five goals all to his blocker side. Off the right post too much. I would be Battah will be working with him on that today and Friday. Boes also had trouble corralling the puck on several occasions. Two players that see to be struggling with the changes are Topping (two horrible giveaways) and Yakubowski who seems lost. I liked the team's discipline against a rather chippy Hitmen team.
    And how classless was the Hitman's Chase who after taunting the crowd, decided to challenge Ramsay to a fight, knowing very well that Ramsay had just finished a fight.

    Bad blood is beginning to brew between these two teams and the tiff between Berehowski, and Kisio added fuel to the fire.

    Loved the fans behind me chanting "coach!, coach! when Drake left the ice after the 2nd period.

    Dump'n Chase

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  4. With respect to Rantus the Refs got a ride to Lethbridge on the Hitmen's bus and they did want a ride back home.

    Yak does seem lost out there still. Has to get his game going soon!

    Loved the Canes puck movement it has gotten faster since the first home game. Did like seeing Luko in Toppings ear right after the bad give away in the second period. Good coaching and this instruction will only help making our players better. Did not see that before this year. The Canes are getting better and this is due to the effort put in by the coaches. I am sure the video session today will be very instructional.

    We can not expect to win games giving up 40 shots a game. I am betting this will be changing.

    An Observer

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