LETHBRIDGE - A late goal in the second and an early goal in the third broke open a one goal and lifted the Medicine Hat Tigers to a 5-2 win over the Hurricanes Thursday night at the ENMAX Centre.
A great start for the Hurricanes in this game. Just a few minutes in, Cam Braes stole the puck away from Matthew Konan and flipped it across to Brady Ramsey who buried it for his 14th goal of the season. That gave Lethbridge a quick 1-0 lead. Braes recorded his 100th career WHL assist on that goal. A few minutes later the Tigers would tie things up and then ended up taking the lead with a couple of quick goals. Trevor Cox put the puck over Damien Ketlo who was down and out in his crease to tie the game at 1-1 and then a couple of minutes after that, Kale Kessey banged home the loose puck to give Medicine Hat a 2-1 lead half way through the opening period. That score held up for the rest of the period. The Tigers held a slight edge in shots at 9-8 after one.
In the second, both teams continued to go at each other as the Canes tried to get the equalizer and it appeared that 2-1 score for Medicine Hat would last into the third period, but the Tigers would get a huge goal with just 15 seconds remaining in the second when a long shot from Matt Konan went off the crossbar and beat Damien Ketlo to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead heading into the dressing room. Medicine Hat continued to hold the edge in shots at 19-17 after 40 minutes.
In the third, the Tigers would increase their lead with an early goal on a 5-on-3 power play. Curtis Valk tapped the puck by Ketlo to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead and then a few minutes later on another man advantage, Hunter Shinkaruk blasted the puck home to give Medicine Hat a 5-1 lead. Lethbridge got more back when Sam McKechnie scored his 5th of year to cut the Tigers lead to 5-2, but that would be it for Lethbridge in this one. Things got pretty chippy late in the period when the Hurricanes took a number of penalties, giving the Tigers four two-man power plays in that final period. The Tigers out shot Lethbridge 36-26. Medicine Hat finished the game 2 for 9 on the power play and Lethbridge went 0 for 3.
The loss ended the Hurricanes six game winning streak on home ice. Their record now sits at 14-24-0-1 for 27 points. With Prince Albert winning Thursday, the Canes fall back to last place in the Eastern Conference. On the CJOC post-game show, Sam McKenchnie said the Hurricanes let up after that first goal they scored early in the first and allowed way too many odd-man rushes in this game.
CANES UPDATE FROM THE MAC'S
The Greater Vancouver Canadians faced the Saskatoon Blazers and goalie Christopher Tai would come in relief of teammate Nathan Alalouf who made 25 saves. Tai made 6 saves in relief as the Canadians lost 4-2 to the Saskatoon Blazers. Forwards Carter Amson and Chris Thorimbert were held off the scoresheet in the Blazers win. The Prince Albert Mintos rolled to their 3rd straight victory with an 8-1 win over the York Simcoe Express. Lethbridge Hurricanes 2011 3rd round bantam pick, Bryton Sayers, registered a goal in the victory. Canes Defenceman Ryan Pilon was held pointless as his Beardy’s Blackhawks knocked off the Vancouver NW Giants. Beardy’s jumped out to a 4-0 start before the Giants started their comeback which ultimately fell short in a 7-5 loss. The UFA Bisons rebounded from a 4-2 deficit to beat the Edmonton SSAC Athletics 6-4. Canes draft picks Tyler Wong and Lenny Hackman each registered an assist in the Bisons win. The Calgary Royals, featuring 1st round draft pick, Reid Duke, lost 3-2 to St. Albert.
(Info provided by Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes and Tigers will go at one more time Friday night (Dec. 30) in Medicine Hat. It'll be the final game of 2011 for the Hurricanes. Game time is 7:30 (MST). The pre-game show on CJOC at 7:00. The Canes will open 2012 at home on Monday (Jan. 2) when they host the Kootenay ICE.
Thanks,
Pat
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
I hope we're not falling into the undisciplined play again.
ReplyDeleteTeam got away from pressure hockey after the first period and fell back into a shell which you can't do against a skilled team like the Tigers. Up front I thought Braes played really well and on defence Johnston was a beast especially killing the endless penalties. You can't beat any team giving up 9 power play chances which included a couple 5 on 3's. Have to be tough but disciplined as Darren said they weren't last night. Good news is they can change all that tonight..TD
ReplyDeleteI thought the boys had a decent game although Ketlo had a couple I think he would like back. Not sure what the refs were watching or what the Tigers got them for christmas but wow. 4 : 5 on 3 in one period. Worst reffing I have seen all year, and even the linesman missed some calls. It was a joke. Makes it impossible to win games like that. Good luck tonght boys.
ReplyDeleteAJ
The trade deadline fast approaching it will be interesting to see what the hurricanes do. I realize there are some who feel we should trade Johnson if we can get an 18 scorer. In my opinion that is a terrible plan. Although next year may not be the year for a long playoff run we should still make the playoffs and who knows what can happen. Johnson is our best d-man and will have a huge influence on our young d-men. Any other opinions.
ReplyDeleteAJ
Well look at the bright side, at least Ketlo outplayed Bunz again. Not.
ReplyDeleteThe trade deadline will be interesting. I guess it will all depend on any potential deals. You have to build a team for the run two years from now and if you can get a solid player or two who will be there for that then I think you have to make a move. I don't disagree that Johnston could have a big role in developing the young D men maybe even as Captain but we have 3 stud D men in Erkamps, Pilon and Topping and not sure how much direction they really need, they are/will be good. Tough call but Canes need some 18/19 year old scoring. Without Braes and Sutter next year the scoring will be really thin....TD
ReplyDeleteThere is no one dominent team in the WHL this year so I think a number of teams will think they have a shot so the trade competition for skilled players could be quite intense this year. Canes need to take advantage of it id they can.
ReplyDeleteOne thing we already know is that even before we make any trades we will have 5 new faces on the team next year
ReplyDeleteOne would think a team like Saskatoon who got beat again last night bad by PA and who have tanked recently and is hosting the Mem Cup next year will be looking at doing some major trades.
ReplyDeleteRichie - how do you think the hurricanes will do in the first round of the playoffs? You come on here and pretend to be a hockey expert. stop doing that. you are not.
ReplyDelete