Sunday 1 December 2013

Final Sunday: Edmonton 3 Lethbridge 2

LETHBRIDGE - The Edmonton Oil Kings scored twice in the first period as they beat the struggling Lethbridge Hurricanes 3-2 Sunday night at the ENMAX Centre.

After taking two and a half periods to get the first goal between Lethbridge and Edmonton on Friday, it took only four minutes for the red lamp to light in this one. Brandon Baddock was sent free at centre ice and he beat Corbin Boes over the blocker to make it 1-0 Edmonton. Just past the midway point in the period, Edmonton would strike again, this time on a two-on-one. Brett Pollock with a great shot over the glove of Boes. That gave the visitors a 2-0 lead just over 10 minutes into the first period. The Oil Kings would get a few more solid chances later in the period, but Boes was able to keep the puck out. The Canes had a couple of chances as well, but when it was al,l said and done the Oil Kings would hold an 18-7 edge in shots on goal.

In the second, the Oil Kings came out of the gate strong peppering Boes with shots, but the Canes kept battling back and finally got themselves back into the contest. Riley Sheen extended his point streak to four games when he passed the puck to Brady Ramsay and he beat Tristan Jarry for his 8th goal of the season. That cut the Edmonton lead to 2-1. The Oil Kings though got that back before the end of the period when Edgars Kulda banked a shot off a Lethbridge player on the power play to give the Oil Kings a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. The Oil Kings held a sizable edge in shots, 32-12.

In the third, the Canes would chip away at the Oil Kings and make it a one goal game for the second time on the night.  Reid Duke with a great effort in front of the Edmonton goal would score his 2nd of the season. That cut the Edmonton lead to 3-2. That goal also gave the Canes some much needed energy in the final 8 minutes. The Hurricanes pressed hard for the tying goal, but it wouldn't happen as Edmonton would hold on for a 3-2 victory. Edmonton out shot Lethbridge 41-21 on the night. The Canes went 1/6 on the power play and the Oil Kings 1/3.  The loss drops the Hurricanes overall record to 3-22-2-2. They have just one victory in their last 17 games.

Russ Maxwell missed his second straight game with a lower body injury. Taylor Cooper is coming along very well I'm told after crashing heavily into the end boards against Everett just over a week go. He might be back in the next week or so. Bryton Sayers is also out a couple weeks with an upper body injury.

Hurricanes This Week

Our first show of December is on the radio Monday night (Dec. 2) on 94.1 CJOC. Joining myself and Fred Jack will be Hurricanes Business Manager Terry Huisman, Canes defenceman Nick Walters, and Calgary Hitmen play-by-play Voice Brad Curle. We have three shows this month leading up to the WHL's annual Christmas break. Shows will air December 2, 9, and 16. After that the next show isn't scheduled until January 6, 2014.

Next Up

The Hurricanes have an extremely busy month of December leading up to the Christmas break. They play 9 games between now and December 17th. The schedule includes 3 games in 4 nights this week with a visit to Swift Current on Wednesday (Dec. 4), back home Friday (Dec. 6) to host the Prince Albert Radiers, and then Saturday (Dec. 7) back on the road again to play in Calgary. The following week is a hectic one for the Hurricanes as they play 5 games in 6 days, which includes three at home and two on the road. The Canes next action is this coming Wednesday in Swift Current. Game time is 6:00 pm. The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30.

Thanks,
Pat


5 comments:

  1. I can't understand why both on Friday and tonight, during the last minute, 6 on 5 we didn't have our TOP scorer on the ice. Even more hilarious to me is that tonight, with 14 seconds left, Wong was pulled and replaced by Folk (no offence to Folk as i know he worked hard tonight and was physical)- how can it possibly be smarter to pull the top scorer and replace him with a guy who has 2 assists this season??

    I was a little frustrated with the power play system, Bell skating it down the dumping it on net from the blue line? Eliminates any legitimate scoring opportunities, just allowed Jarry to control it and give it to his own players to carry it out. Just my opinion, don't claim to be right!

    Other than that, it was a fun game to watch and was nice to see such a huge effort from most, if not all the players! Hopefully it just keeps getting better and better!

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  2. High light of the night, Folk's two huge hits. Going to be nice to have him around for 3 more seasons.
    Same story, how can our small speedsters compete one-on-one with the likes of the players from Edmonton, Seattle, Tri Cities, Brandon etc, etc, etc, etc.

    Dump'n Chase

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    1. Huge energy! Folk has been incredible for the team,... and from some of the looks on his face... I think he is a bit nuts... in an excellent way. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that his hits are clean and involve shoulder into chest, and powerful. Absolutely should have been an instigator penalty to Edmonton after his incredible hit in front of the Canes bench.

      His hits are incredible because he doesn't use his elbows or use his hands to grab guys and throw them down risking penalties. Approaching Mitch Versteeg status in my mind... with 3 more years to hone his craft!!

      Derko is physical at times, but he has to learn to use his body more and hands less to reduce unnecessary penalties.

      I would LOVE to see him on the point on the powerplay using that 100mph shot of his. What a WASTE! Practise the one-timers, and this one weapon alone could change the entire second half of the season for the Canes. It drives me nuts when coaches don't use the strengths of their players.

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    2. Weal, RNH, Sven, Boychuk, Bancks and many, many more have excelled as “small guys”. Just another excuse. We have the mix of size, skill and speed to win in this league. We have proven to stick with the top teams in the league and dominate at times. We beat Portland in Portland last season with those small players.

      These kids were drafted for a reason and have the ability to produce.

      Is the style of play is holding these skilled players back? Watson had about 1-2 breakaways a game at the start of the season and end of last. Haven’t seen one in a while. Why? Has he lost his speed or is he playing injured?
      How would some of the top players succeed on our team? No way Mitch Holmberg would have 60 plus points in this system. He would have been healthy scratched for his play.

      If this organization wants to commit to Drake we would be best to trade the small Wong, Olyneck, Remi, Maxwell. We can get big guys to occupy space, keep getting 20 or less shots a game and hope to get singles or win the odd game with big, defensive players.
      Long Run

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    3. Seems to me that Boychuck, had a bigger supporting cast, King, Sceviour, Ashton. I am not saying small guys do not work, I am saying that they need size to go along with them, in order to win those one on one battles and to open up space for them.

      Dump'n Chase

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