CRANBROOK, B.C. – Two first period goals were all the Kootenay ICE needed as they shutout the Lethbridge Hurricanes 2-0 Tuesday night.
Not the start the Hurricanes were hoping for on the road Tuesday night. The Canes thought they had opened the scoring less than a minute into the game, but the goal was called back after video replay determined the puck was knocked of air with a high stick. Shortly after that, the ICE would get a couple of quick goals to take a 2-0 lead. First is was Jesse Ismond and shortly after that Sam Reinhart scored to give the ICE a 2-0 lead after one period of play. Damien Ketlo started in goal for Lethbridge in this hockey game and Nathan Lieuwen got the nod for the ICE. Kootenay outshot Lethbridge 9-4.
In the second, the Hurricanes came out of the gate much hungrier, but were still unable to solve Lieuwen. The Canes fired 11 shots at his direction. Damien Ketlo managed to keep the ICE off the scoreboard in the second period as well and Kootenay would take that same 2-0 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes. The Canes nearly had a goal at the end of the period, but the buzzer sounded just as the puck crossed the goal line. The ICE held the edge in shots 19-15 after two periods.
In the third, the Hurricanes would continue pumping shots at the Kootenay net, but once again get one passed Lieuwen proved to be problematic for the Canes. In the end, those two goals the ICE scored in the first period stood up to be the difference as the home side would hold on for a 2-0 shutout victory. The shots on goal narrowly favoured Kootenay 27-25. The Hurricanes finished the night 0 for 3 on the power play, while the ICE went 0 for 2. The loss drops the Canes record to 1-1 in the still young WHL season.
After a slow start in this game, the Hurricanes actually played well in the final 40 minutes. The biggest issue was get a puck or two by Nathan Lieuwen. In fact, both goalies played well. Damien Ketlo was the game’s second star and Lieuwen the first star. The Canes played a decent game that also saw the team fail to take advantage of a few chances throughout the night. Overall, it wasn’t a bad effort.
I spoke with forward Austin Fyten during the second intermission in this game. He clearly stated he is disappointed the way things happened with his injury and not being able to take part in the Philadelphia Flyers camp or the start of this WHL season. He couldn’t say just how bad his injury is or how long that will keep him sidelined. Fyten says he’s trying to stay positive throughout this process.
The Hurricanes will now get ready to move back into the ENMAX Centre permanently. The Canes will hold their home opener Friday night when they host Central Division rival, Calgary. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30 and the puck drop shortly after 7:00 pm (MDT).
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Pat,
ReplyDeleteSound like Ketlo did well. Any other positives you took out of the game?
Well, they cut down on the penalties considerably from last Saturday. The penalty kill was perfect for a second straight game too. It was a decent game deslte the loss.
ReplyDeleteLimiting shots is a big factor, too.
ReplyDeleteThe WHL site says the 2nd goal was an empty net goal, in the first period...? Did the WHL site mess up or was it a strange play? I didn't get the chance to listen to your broadcast last night.
ReplyDeleteIt was not an EN goal. It was a nice shot by Reinhart over the shoulder of Ketlo.
ReplyDeletePretty good result against defending WHL champs, in only the second game of the season for the Canes, no? Canes HAD to focus on penalties, and they reduced from 9 to 2 minors, the Uber-tough Blomqvist seems to have figured out what will be called as interference, we are (still) perfect on the PK, we even kept sniper Max Reinhart off the scoresheet for 60min. Low Shots on Net difference of only "2", we even put it in their net twice,... we just didn't quite do it within the restrictions of the game. I am very encouraged by all this.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to Friday night! I suspect that it may be much more difficult for the coaches and team to limit their penalties against Calgary in their home opener on Friday. Should be very energetic though! - Richie.
Sounds like the kids put in a good effort, but couldn't get the puck passed a good veteran goaltender in Lieuwen. I wonder if the Canes' shots were mostly from the outside where he could see and handle them more easily? Maybe a little more traffic in front of him?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Pat could shed some light on that thought?
The Ice lost some talent, but should win this division again in my opinion with some solid players from the net out to the forwards. So I think that was a good result for the young Canes.
Actually, the Canes had only 4 shots in the first period and really ramped things up in the last 40 minutes. They got a lot more traffic in front of Lieuwen as the game went on. They were trying to direct shots on goal from everywhere.
ReplyDelete