The Hurricanes will look to go above the .500 mark again as they get set to host the Regina Pats tonight at the ENMAX Centre. The Canes' are 3-3-0-1 to start the season while the Pats have been struggling and have just one victory in 8 games. This will be the first game for Lethbridge against an opponent from the WHL's East Division. Tomorrow, the high-flying Saskatoon Blades will stop in town. This will be the first of two meetings between the Hurricanes and the Pats over the course of the next week. The Canes' play in Regina next Wednesday, before heading off to Saskatoon and Prince Albert next weekend.
The Pats do have some offence and perhaps their record may be a bit deceiving. Carter Ashton and Jordan Weal can certainly put the puck in the net fro Regina and the Canes' will have to be very aware when those two are on the ice. The Pats have a local southern Alberta boy on their team too. Defenceman Brandon Davidson of Taber should be in the line-up tonight. He's a draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers.
This is one of those dangerous games I think. The Hurricanes will be playing a desperate Regina team, looking for a win. They must be cognisant of that. Lethbridge will be looking to rebound from a 6-3 loss last Saturday to the Kootenay ICE.
Injury Update
It looks like Brody Sutter is going to be out of the line-up longer than expected. I spoke with Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston yesterday and he said Sutter needed an M.R.I. and his shoulder injury is worse that first thought. He may be sidelined anywhere from 2 to 4 more weeks. Austin Fyten is now wearing a cast on his foot. He fractured a bone blocking a shot last weekend and he'll likely be out another 2 to 3 weeks. As for Mark Reners, we could very well see him for the first time this season. Reners has been given the green light to play. He's been out since the pre-season with a knee injury, but Preston says he's been cleared to play.
Tonight's game starts at 7:00 pm (MDT). The pre-game show with myself and Fred Jack at 6:30 on CJOC.
Thanks,
Pat
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Well the overage deadline has come and gone and no movement by the Hurricanes' brass. Mike Brown of TC was let go and his stats match that of anyone on the Hurricanes' roster. Plus his size 6.3.-210 would have created space for the smaller Hurricane forwards.I realize Max Ross is versatile but we need scoring.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of scoring, Carter Bancks currently leads Abbostford with 5 points in 3 games and is in a 6 way tie for the scoring leadership in the AHL. He is also the top rookie. Maybe the Flames should call him up! Former Hurricanes Rob Klinkhammer leads Rockford (Chic)with 3 points and Dwight King leads Manchester(LA) with 3 points. Zach Boychuk with Charlotte (Carlolina) has 1 assist.
RJS
I think Brown might have been a better player and I agree the size and scoring are important, not sure if I can be a patient as Preston , but then My thoughts don't count..lol
ReplyDeleteK.T.