SWIFT CURRENT, SK. - Three goals in the first period and three more in the third lifted the Swift Current Broncos to a 6-4 win over the Hurricanes Wednesday night.
The Broncos got off to a quick start in this one. Just over two minutes in, Josh Derko's backhander beat Liam Liston between the legs to give Swift Current a 1-0 lead. That didn't last too long. Lethbridge came storming back with a pair of goals, just 50 seconds apart. Phil Tot scored his 11th of the season on the power play to tie the game at 1-1 and then right after that Jaimen Yakubowski tapped home his 11th of the year to give Lethbridge a 2-1 lead. It looked like perhaps that lead would stick going into the dressing room, but Swift Current would come charging back with a few quick goals of their own. Late in the period, Andy Blanke's shot beat Liston to even the game at 2-2 and then with less than a minute to play in the period and just over 90 seconds after the tying goal, Brad Hoban would lift a shot past Liam Liston to give Swift Current a 3-2 lead after 20 minutes. The Broncos out shot Lethbridge 18-11.
In the second, the Hurricanes would come out much stronger and had several good chances to tie the game again, but were unable to beat Jon Groenheyde in the Swift Current goal. On the flip side of that, the Broncos couldn't score either. That 3-2 lead the Broncos held through one period, held up through 40 minutes as well. Lethbridge out shot Swift Current 15-8 in that period and the shots ended up 26-26 through two periods of play.
In the third, the offence returned for both teams. Lethbridge tied the game at 3-3 early in the period when Landon Oslanski scored his 6th of the season. Shortly after though, the Broncos took the lead when Richard Nedomlel beat Liston to make it 4-3 Swift Current. Just 20 second later, right off the face-off at centre ice, Juraj Bezuch moved in and fired home his 5th of the year to even the score at 4-4. After that, Swift Current would take control with a pair of more goals. Richard Nedomlel would get his second of the night to make it 5-4 and then Taylor Vause scored to make it 6-4 Broncos and that's the way things would end. There were more than enough shots in this game as the Broncos out shot Lethbridge 42-38. The Hurricanes finished the game 2/3 on the power play, while Swift Current went 1/4. The Canes have lost three games in a row now and this drops their over record to 19-33-0-1 in 53 games. They sit tied with PA last place in the conference.
Assistant Coach Chris Chisamore wasn't at all happy on the CJOC post-game show saying allowing 8, 6, and 6 goals against respectively in the Hurricanes last three games is unacceptable and they have to simply be better defensively.
The Hurricanes called up a couple of Midget AAA players for Wednesday's game. Defenceman Ryan Pilon played his second game in a Hurricanes uniform this season. He played very well and had a regular shift. The Canes are a bit shorthanded on the back end right now with a minor injury to Spencer Galbraith and Albin Blomqvist still out with concussion symptoms. Goalie Johnny Houge was brought in to back-up Liam Liston in Swift Current. Damien Ketlo is not feeling well, so the team took along Houge on the road for these next few games.
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes will stay in Regina the next few days and use that as their base for the remaining two games on this road trip. They'll travel to Brandon Friday (Feb. 3) to take on the Wheat Kings. This will be just the second meeting of the season between the Canes and Wheaties. Game time is 6:30 PM (MST). The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:00.
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.
At the game tonight.
ReplyDeletePositives - Yakubowski my first star. He played tough, worked hard, scored, drew a penalty, physical, high energy, he is constantly improving. Becoming my favourite player.
Pilon's skating and puck movement – Best I have seen in a 15 year old. Needs work defensively.
Tot, Ramsay, Watson, Leverton all played well.
Negatives - team defence. Goaltending.
Bezuch. I think Bezuch has the talent but looks scared and won’t hit.
I think we should draft a Euro goalie for next year try and solidify that position. Then draft a bantam goalie high (top rated goalie). There were some very weak goals let in tonight.
I hate to say it but we win this game with Ketlo in goal. Looking forward to see Moline.
Hey how good were Sutter, Ramsey, and Hood tonight all a +1. Oh I'm sorry that was Watson,Leverton amd Bezuch. The others were -3, -3 & -4. How many still think Sutter is a future nhl star. Hood as well as this coaching staff better be gone next year. So do we keep Preston as gm and hope he doesn't trade the team in a hissy fit or outright fire him. Other than by gaining game experience none of these kids are improving. The need and deserve a coaching or should I say teaching staff. AJ
ReplyDeleteBlomqvist is sorely missed on the back end and with Galbraith out it's not a surprise the team gave up over 40 shots against.
ReplyDeleteAnon (9:26): I don't know if Ketlo makes the difference the way he's been playing lately either. But wins and losses are irrelevant at this point for the Hurricanes. We need to see what Liston is made out of for next year. The last thing we want is to wait until next year to realize we need a goalie. Best see if Liston can solidify his game. If not, then see what other 'tenders are available in the off-season.
I also don't like the idea of using a high 1st Round Bantam pick on a goalie. Should be able to get one later on.
One thing you have to remember about Sutter is that he didn't want to be in a Hurricane uniform after the trade deadline, so I think he's lacking some serious motivation. Although I can't believe his Dad or one of his uncles hasn't told him to get his head screwed on straight cause the NHL scouts are surely watching his reaction to not being traded and so far it hasn't been very positive.
Dumping the GM and coach with two years left (after this year) doesn't help the organization's bottom line. People calling for Preston to be fired need to realize it's not all about the performance on the ice, but also about dollars and cents too. But I will say that if the team doesn't come out of the gates like a ball of fire next year, it's time to find a coach these kids will play for (anyone remember Michael Dyck?).
I agree with everything you are saying 1031. The majority of goals Liston let in tonight where very weak. Sure let’s see if he can turn it around (and I hope he does). I just like the Tri-City model in taking Comrie late first round and develop him. We have Moose Jaws pick which should be late first round or use our second round pick. I think this is the only position the future is not bright and I am starting to see how important it is.
ReplyDeleteAs Chisamore said in the post game the the last 3 games defensively have been unacceptable. Here are the D'men's and Vet forwards plus / minus the last three games with 20 GA.
ReplyDeleteD
Erkamps -4
Henry -2
Johnston even
Kiziuk -4
Oslanski -5
Vet Forwards
Hood -5
Tot -4
Sutter -3
Buonassisi -5
Ramsey -4
Time for the vets to take a look in the mirror
As much as I could see on the internet feed I agree with Anon 9:26 that young players Yakubowski Watso and Leverton played well....Pilon will be really good but he was -3 and struggled in his zone and physically but it will come. I agree that Blomquist is missed especially around the net but playing with Johnston helps him a lot when Johnston was out he looked lost. PA game Kizuik was with Johnston and he looked strong scored 2 goals...last night -3 and struggled and Henry looked good.
ReplyDeleteThe whole team defensively needs to improve from goaltending up. From what I could see there were at least 2 soft goals and on others Swift players were 2 and 3 feet from Canes net left untouched. Except for Johnston and Blomquist our D is small and not physical. Sutter, Hood and Buonassi have looked like they are completely in another world the last few games, totally invisible and defensive liabilities....not sure what the issue is but the time to change is tomorrow night in Brandon! TD
Anon 743: Ya, those +/- numbers do NOT look good for the vets.
ReplyDeleteAt this point of the season, I'm really just sitting back and taking it all in. Everything from individual performances to the coaching. Not too high or too low at this point.
I think the Canes are in a similiar situation to the Flames (sorry if this reference offends anyone!). What I mean is, I think the 17 and 18 year old's should be playing for a job on next year's team. I'm also evaluating the coaching staff at this point. They should also be "auditioning" for a job next year, regardless if they are under contracts or not.
Anyway, I hope the team plays better defensively in Brandon.