Local hockey fans will get a chance tonight to see the Lethbridge Hurricanes in action for the fiest time this season close to home, albeit in exhibition play.
The Canes' will host Red Deer at 7pm (MDT) at Nicholas Sheran Arena. The ENMAX Centre has been under renovation for the past 18 plus months so the Hurricanes wanted to hold a pre-season game this year at the home of the U of L Pronghorns. As of yesterday, tickets were still available for the game. Fans can purchase them for $8.oo at the door tonight.
The Hurricanes have a 1-1-1 record in the pre-season, which is a vast improvement already over last year when they went 0-5 in exhibition play. The Hurricanes could have an interesting decision to make when it comes to who will be backing up Brandon Anderson in goal this season. Both Dylan Tait and Tanner Kovacs played well down at the Tri-City tournament this past weekend. Perhaps that's a nice problem for this team to have. Tait has the most experience out of the two. As it sits right now, no cuts have been made, but that will likely happen in teh next day or so. The hockey club is still carrying roughly 30 players in exhibition.
I spoke with Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston at practice on Monday:
Preston: "Well the biggest thing I've been impressed with is our goaltending in the first three exhibition games. Besides the first period of that first game against Spokane, our two goalies (Tait & Kovacs) played very well. All-in-all, I'm pretty happy with the way things have gone. Like I said our goalies and defence looked pretty good. Some of young guys scored like Balog, Kuvaev, and Ramsey all scored as did Reners and Moser. We have three more pre-seaosn games before we determine who makes the team and who doesn't. All the 16 year olds will play Tuesday and some of the 17 year olds too. We will make a few more decisions after the Red Deer game. I think we will know where we're at after this Red Deer game. That will be four games of evaluation. I don't think these decisions are going to be very hard. I think we (the coaches) know who's ready and who's not. "
The Hurricanes will play the Hitmen on Friday in the Crowsnest Pass and they'll wrap up their six game exhibition schedule Saturday against Calgary once again at the EDGE School. The regular season opens next Friday, September 24th with the Hurricanes taking on the Calgary Hitmen at the Saddledome.
Thanks,
Pat
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pat for those that cant make the game will u be blogging the scores ect tonight?
ReplyDeleteYes. I will be at the game myself. I will be posting updates here under the comments section, but not on the main page. I don't have access to a computer there so I will blog updates with my phone. You'll see them pop up right here.
ReplyDeleteGame underway......
ReplyDeleteHurricanes score. Fyten from Russ Maxwell at 9:29. Hurricanes lead 1-0.
ReplyDeleteRed Deer has tied the game. Borejko gets it. 1-1 score with 9 minutes to go in the first period.
ReplyDeleteFirst period over. Game tied 1-1. Huuricanes have taken seven minor penalties in the first 20 min. Dylan Tait playing great in goal. Shots: Red Deer 16 & Lethbridge 9. More to follow......
ReplyDeleteHurricanes score in the second period. Adam Henry from Graham Hood at 5:30. Canes lead 2-1. Red Deer quickly ties the game 2-2 seconds later. Ness credited with the goal at 6:08.
ReplyDeleteMachacek scores for Lethbridge SH at 12:33. Hurricanes now leading 3-2. Canes have been assessed 10 minor penalties so far.
ReplyDeleteCanes take a 4-2 lead. Mitch Maxwell from Mahacek and Henry at 14:09.
ReplyDeleteSecond period over. It's been a penalty parade so far for Lethbridge. Canes leading 4-2 after 40 min. Shots on goal through two periods: RD 26 & Lethbridge 16. Good crowd at Nicholas Sheran Arena. About 750 fans in attendance.
ReplyDeleteThird period underway. Hurricanes take 5-2 lead. Max Ross from Macheck at 2:50.
ReplyDeleteRed Deer scores. Canes now lead 5-3. RD goal by Josh Cowen at 9:37 PP.
ReplyDeleteCanes take 6-3 lead. Graham Hood from Ross at 17:55 of the 3rd period.
ReplyDeleteKuvaev scores as Hurricanes open up 7-2 lead. Oslanski assists at 18:38.
ReplyDeleteGame over. Canes win 7-2. Record now 2-1-1 in pre-season play. Final shots: RD 37 & Lethbridge 24
ReplyDeletethanks pat that was great just wondering if u have a list of the guys that didnt play.
ReplyDeleteReners, Reddington, Tot, Berglund, Yadlowski, Johnston, Guiel all sat out along with those three guys away at NHL camps.
ReplyDelete