The Lethbridge Hurricanes improved to 2-1-1 in pre-season play with a 7-3 victory over Red Deer Tuesday night.
The Canes' got goals from Max Ross, Alex Kuvaev, Austin Fyten, Cason Machacek, Mitch Maxwell Graham Hood, and Adam Henry. The Canes' played well, but penalties were an issue whether the fans agreed with the calls from Referee Andy Theissen or not. Lethbridge spent a good portion of the game in the penalty box, but still managed to take advantage of their chances.
Both Lethbridge goalies, Dylan Tait and Tanner Kovacs had excellent games as Red Deer out shot the Hurricanes 37-24. A very good crowd at Nicholas Sheran Arena for this exhibition tilt as about 750 filled the rink.
1st Period
LET - Austin Fyten (Russell Maxwell, Mitch Maxwell) 9:29
RD - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Aaron Borejko) 10:17
2nd Period
LET - Adam Henry (Graham Hood, Ryley Bennefield) 5:30
RD - Tyson Ness (Brett Ferguson, Colin Archer) 6:08
LET - Cason Machacek (Michael Sofillas, Derek Ryckman) SH 12:33
LET - Mitch Maxwell (Cason Machacek, Adam Henry) 14:09
3rd Period
LET - Max Ross (Cason Machacek) 2:39
RD - Josh Cowan (Mason Burr, Colin Archer) PP 9:37
LET - Graham Hood (Max Ross, Landon Oslanski) 17:53
LET - Alex Kuvaev (Landon Oslanski) 18:38
Goaltenders
LET: Dylan Tait, 29:52, 19-21
LET: Tanner Kovacs, 30:08, 15-16
RD: Bolton Pouliot, 60:00, 19-22
(Summary from www.whl.ca)
The Hurricanes scratches included: Mike Reddington, Brennan Yadlowski, Mitch Guiel, Daniel Johnston, Mark Reners, Phil Tot, and Jacob Berglund as well As Sutter, Anderson and Braes who are away at pro camps.
The Hurricanes play their final two pre-season games this weekend, both against Calgary. Friday's game is in the Crowsnest Pass while Saturday's game is in Calgary.
Thanks,
Pat
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Minor correction...final score was 7-3.
ReplyDeleteBoth goaltenders played very well as did the Hurricanes PK. They were shorthanded 13 times and killed off two-two men short situations. Highlight goal came when Sofillas feathered a perfect pass to Machaccek while shorthanded 2 players. Preston and Robson have some very tough decisions to make. Great job vs Red Deer who are down to 24 players so it was pretty close to the team they will ice at the start of the season. Hurricanes sat or were missing 9 players who suited up for them last season.
Looking good!
RJ
Thanks RJ! I don't know why I typed 7-2. I was there and saw it for myself!
ReplyDeleteMinor correction RJ, Red Deer has 6 players at pro camps who wernt here tonite. They'll be much better yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "minor correction".
ReplyDeleteI was just going by the lineups given out tonight in the programs. The Hurricanes had all their players listed including the 3 at pro camp. Red Deer must have listed only the players they have left not including the ones at pro camps. Guess the lineup sheets led to that confusion on my part.
RJ
I think the bottem line is the Canes will be much more competitive than last season and the players coming up bode well for the future!
ReplyDeleteTD
It was good game, with more emotion, drive and speed than we saw last year. Hopefully that's not just the team is decided yet, and that it continues. I thought Adam Henry got a goal though, was that changed?
ReplyDeleteNo you're right. The second goal, was scored by Henry, from Graham Hood. For some reason I had it written down the other way. Sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteThough disjointed due to penalties, very entertaining game to watch, thanks Canes! I am officially VERY excited about our first home game on October 8th!
ReplyDeleteVery classy touch to have the suits welcome, greet, and thank the fans for coming at entry. It looks like our community owned team, is (finally) starting to figure out the small touches that improve our chances of bringing in dollars for our entertainment game. Nice job!
Even though he played very well, the only player that I watched that probably isn't physically ready to be on any WHL team (yet) is Russell Maxwell. You can tell he has skills, but I think that he may need one more year of steak and potatoes so you can read his number on the back of his jersey. Gotta hand it to him for wanting to be there though.. When he sat next to or skated next to players the size of Max Ross, it looked like a father/son combo. The game showed a LOT of hard hits to unsuspecting players, and I was scared for his life when he had his head down in the corner a couple of times. Overall, he keeps his head up better than most other players. Maybe our Kozun??
I would really like to see the team adopt some sort of post-home-game fan recognition this year. The lifting of the sticks at centre ice would be fine, but I would rather see the Canes invent something original. Maybe throw a couple T-shirts or autographed pucks over the boards to some kids?? For as long as this remains a community owned hockey club, I think this would go a LONG way to improve ticket sales, and improve community loyalty as well as the overall fan experience. Comments or Ideas?? - Richie.
i really think this team is a lot better than people think.
ReplyDeleteNot based on this one preseason game, but based on how much guys have improved. i see major improvements from 5 or six guys like at camp and now this game. Red Deer had all their regulars dressed sept the guys away at NHL camp. Lethbridge was playing all the rookies sept for gueil so and to pull that out good job boys best effort i have seen in a long time keep it up.
Hey Ritchie, your suggestion of building that "community" relation through some form of display at the end of a game are well founded. Why not pass them on to the Hurricane's new Business Manager?
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see who gets trimmed from the roster and with an overabundance of solid defense men I wonder if Preston will make a deal to bring in another top 6 fwd who can score.
RJ