MEDICINE HAT - Cam Braes and Russ Maxwell each scored twice as the Lethbridge Hurricanes won their season-opening game 4-2 in Medicine Hat Saturday night.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring near the five minute mark of the hockey game with a goal from Captain Cam. Braes tapped a loose puck by Tyler Bunz and into a wide open goal to give Lethbridge a 1-0 lead. Sutter and Johnston assisted on the Canes first goal of the 2011-2012 season. Less than two minutes later, the Tigers evened when Adam Rehak took a drop pass and fired a shot by Brandon Anderson to tie the game at 1-1. But seconds after that, Lethbridge would regain the lead when Russ Maxwell put a screened shot by Bunz to give the Canes a 2-1 lead after one. Jay Merkley recorded his first WHL point with an assist on that goal.
In the second, it would be the power play, or lack-there-of that would be the story. The Hurricanes had three 5-on-3's and Medicine Hat two 5-on-3's, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Both teams were a combined 0 for 13 with the power play after two periods of play. The Canes held the edge in shots 22-19 following 40 minutes of play.
In third, the Hurricanes would finally add one more on what was their 9th power play chance of the night. Cam Braes knocked home his second of the night to give Lethbridge some much needed breathing room. The Tigers though would get that back a few minutes later. Dylan Bredo let go a quick wrist shot, beating Anderson high on the blocker side to make it a 3-2 Lethbridge lead. The Tigers tried to even the score, but that's as close as they would get. Russ Maxwell would put the game away with an empty net goal and the Hurricanes would skate away with a 4-2 win. The Canes finished the night 2 for 10 on the power play and the Tigers went 0 for 9. The Hurricanes out shot Medicine Hat 35-28 on the night.
Overall, a very good first game of the season for Lethbridge. They played well in all positions and the victory was well deserved. Assistant Coach Chris Chisamore said he's very happy with the way the young players played under pressure in a hostile environment in Medicine Hat.
The Canes sent Tayler Balog home to Saskatchewan prior to opening weeknd. Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston told us on the pre-game show Saturday that he's "trying to do something there." He didn't go into anymore detail in regards to Balog.
The Hurricanes next action is Tuesday night when they travel to Cranbrook to take on the defending WHL Champion, Kootenay ICE. Game time is 7:00 pm (MDT). The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
Thanks,
Pat
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Yes it is only 1 win. However, the character and fortitude it takes to win any game in the Hat's delapitated rink, plus win another teams home opener, makes a big statement.
ReplyDeleteLet's just hope this team that basically laid a bit of a lickin, if not a dominating performence in the Tigers territory tonight is the now and future Huricanes club we get to follow to dominance in 3 years.
Sounded like Merkely has a great 1st period.
Can't get a better result than spoiling your #1 rival's season and home opener!
ReplyDeleteHere we go again with the (nearly) double digit penalties once again. The PK was outstanding, but are we going to learn the hard way again this year that the PK won't always be as good?
Coaches need to refocus FAST on the penalites. Being "tough" to play against doesn't necessarily mean leading the league in PIMs, does it?! I am sure hoping to see a MUCH shorter right hand side of the scoresheet after Tuesday's contest in Cranbrook. - Richie
In the last Herald issue the Canes talked about not taking stupid lazy penalties. They talked to both Ryckman and Braes and both participated in the penalty parade. Stop the dumb penalties. The penalty killers get tired if they are out there all of the time.
ReplyDeleteGood win! Excellent effort keep it up! Focus on the penalties the refs will be watching.
I was at the game and there were some undisciplned penalties but as usual for the first game of the year the officials called everything on both sides. Although there is still a lot of work to do it was a good start for the Canes and should be confidence booster
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip Anonymous (7:16pm). I listened to the game on the Internet and it sounded like the refs were calling the game very closely, so we'll have to see if the players take heed in future games.
ReplyDeleteGreat first win that's for sure. Let's hope the effort continues. Great news about Erkamps and Merkley. I heard Erkamps name a lot Saturday night.
It sounds like Preston is trying to trade Balog (sent back to Sask. on Friday). Will he be part of a bigger trade or just a minor deal??
Well depending on how long Fyten is out, why not trade Balog and overage goaltender Ketlo to Swift Current for overage fwd Brad Hoban. He had 25 goals and 26 assists for the Broncos last season.
ReplyDeleteIn a million years, Swift would not make that trade. A 20yrold goalie is barely worth a conditional fifth, never mind shipping a kid that can't make our roster for a proven WHLer. Hope that post was a joke.
ReplyDelete