LETHBRIDGE - The Lethbridge Hurricanes dropped their 5th straight hockey game as the Edmonton Oil Kings came into the ENMAX Centre and skated out with a 5-1 victory.
The Oil Kings came out guns a blazing in this game. Edmonton scored twice before the game was barely four minutes old. A power play goal by Matt Moroz opened the scoring for Edmonton and that was followed right after by a goal courtesy of T.J. Foster. The Oil Kings had a 2-0 lead very early and had out shot Lethbridge 5-0 at that point. The Canes settled down nicely after Coach Rich Preston called an early timeout. The Hurricanes had a few good scoring chances as the period went on, but that's the way the first frame would end. Edmonton out shot Lethbridge 18-11.
In the second, the Oil Kings would go ahead 3-0 on another power play goal. Michael St. Croix hammered a shot over the blocker shoulder of Anderson and into the top of the net to make it 3-0 for the visitors. Before the end of the period, the Oil Kings would add to their lead. Rhett Rachiski took a feed from Klarc Wilson right out of the penalt box, deeking out Anderson making 4-0 Edmonton. That's the way the period would end. Edmonton held the edge in shots 30-16 after 40 minutes.
In the third, the Canes would finally get on the scoreboard. Cam Braes stepped out from behind the Edmonton goal and roofed a shot into the top of the net to make it 4-1 Edmonton. That was Braes' 4th goal of the season and broke the shutout bid for Brossoit. Edmonton would get that one back when Klarc Wilson fired a wrist shot by Anderson to put ahead 5-1. That would be it. The Canes would drop their 5th straight game with this loss and see their record fall to 2-5-0-1 on the season. Edmonton slightly out shot the Hurricanes 39-38, but it was the power play stats that really stand out in this game. The Canes finished the night 0/11 with the man advantage and Edmonton went 2/6. Assistant Coach Chris Chisamore said on the CJOC post-game show that this team is in a "funk" and they need to find a spark to change things around. He also stated the Canes need more out of the veterans, especially when it comes to discipline.
The Hurricanes played again without a number of players out due to injury. The most prominent include Brody Sutter, Jay Merkley, and Reid Jackson. All three players missed their second straight game. Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston said on the pre-game show he expects all three to be back with in the next week.
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes will hit the road again, this time it's on the bus and up to Red Deer for a game against the Rebels Wednesday night. This will be the first of six meetings between the two teams this season. Game time Wednesday from Red Deer is 7:00 pm (MDT). The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.
Thanks,
Pat
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If Anderson and Sutter have great trade value, lets keep Ketlo and go young. I am sure Anderson and Sutter could get a great 17 year old prospect for one of the contenders? Not giving up on the season, I just know our future is in Watson, Erkamps, Merkley, Duke, Pillon ect. Might as well be realistic and get a 17 year old blue chipper to develop with our youth.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. Get what you can for these guys and continue to build this team.
ReplyDeleteAgree with above...time to move some of the veterans...Anderson, Sutter, Johnston probably gets you the most trade value and hopefully gives them on opportunity to go to a contending team. They have suffered enough in Lethbridge...
ReplyDeleteI agree with these comments and let's call a spade a spade. I am always reluctant to jump on a team and coaching early but there are obviously some major changes necessary or this could legitimately turn out to be the worst season in WHL history. When the 16 year old Erkamps and 17year old Maxwell are your best players night in and night out there are obviously big issues to be addressed. The injuries have been killer, yes. But last night Hood? You watch your own guy get plowed from behind and decide to take your penalty for a lazy interference on the 5 on 3? That mentality is starting to pervade the team. Not good.
ReplyDeleteI too think it is high time that Preston looks at himself in the mirror. I have said this time and time again, the WHL is a league of young players and needs a young coach who will teach/develop and instill pride in the youngsters. Most of Preston's coaching career was as an assistant in the NHL. He is too "old school" and we are seeing the same old, same old again this year. There is no creativity on the power play, there are no set plays to get the puck out of our own end, and when the youngsters 16-17 year olds are your hardest working players (put Ramsey in that list too) night in and night out....that speaks volumes. Preston has made some very good moves as a GM, his next best move as a GM is to fire the head coach......and not replace him with Kabby....he has been around this organization too long.
ReplyDeleteRJS
I think Braes, Sutter and Johnston all work hard. The young kids do as well. Its the Ryckmans, Oslanskis, Hoods, and Jacksons that need a kick in the butt. I'm hoping something fairly significant happens trade wise soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't foresee a lot of big trades coming. Most of the players mentioned don't have a lot of trade value (other than maybe Sutter). Anderson's not playing well, so I don't see him getting much in a trade. I see a minor trade or two, but nothing major.
ReplyDeleteI want to hear what's wrong with Sutter and when he will be back? Nobody around the team is saying anything. He seemed to be a leader early on.
When I mentioned Bezuch I meant to say even though he doesn't turn 18 till December, by WHL standards they go by birth year and he is considered an 18 year old.
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