It was a close game, but when it was all said and done the Brandon Wheat Kings would beat the Hurricanes on a power play goal in overtime to win it 5-4 Friday at the ENMAX Centre.
One thing the Canes have been doing lately is scoring early and scoring first. They did that again in this game. Just 29 seconds into the game, Tyler Wong scored for the home side to give Lethbridge a 1-0 lead. That was followed up a few minutes later when Jayce Hawryluk, who's been very good in his career against the Hurricanes scored to tie the game for Brandon at the 5:38 mark on a power play to even things at 1-1.
It was a actually a wild first period which saw several lead changes. Less than a minute later the Canes regained the one goal lead when Dexter Bricker scored to make it 2-1 Lethbridge. Brandon would again tie the score when Ivan Provorov beat Zac Robidoux to even things again, this time at 2-2. Lethbridge again would take the lead, for the third time in the period. Captain Jamal Watson scored his first of two goals on the night, this time on a power play to give the Canes a 3-2 lead at the 13:47 mark. That gave the Lethbridge a 3-2 lead after 20 minutes of play.
In the second the Wheat Kings would tie the game and then take their first lead of the night. John Quenneville scored early at the 1:35 mark to tie the game at 3-3 and then late in the period Tim McGauley scored to give the visitors a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes of play.
The scored stayed that way until the late stages of the third period, when Jamal Watson scored at the 16:54 mark to tie the game at 4-4 and send this contest into overtime. In the extra period, the Canes took a penalty and the Wheaties made them pay. Rihards Bukarts beat Robidoux at 1:41 of OT on the power play and that was it. Brandon wins it 5-4.
The loss drops the Canes record to 5-9-1-1 in 16 games this season. The positive in all this is the Hurricanes have points in 5 of their last 6 games and that's helped move this team to within two points of 8th place in the Eastern Conference. Brandon out shot Lethbridge 36-27. The Wheaties went 2/4 on the power play and Lethbridge 1/5.
The Hurricanes next action is Saturday (Nov. 1) when they travel to Cranbrook to take on the Kootenay ICE. This will be the first meeting of the season between the clubs. The ICE are struggling this season with just 3 wins in 16 games. They sit in last place overall in the WHL standings, but they did get back superstar forward Sam Reinhart. The question is will the ICE keep him or deal him off to a contender? There is no question he will fetch a massive return for Kootenay. A return that could set the ICE up nicely in the future. Their next home game is set for is next Friday (Nov. 7) when they host Swift Current.
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 have really enjoyed the hockey so far this year, including this game.
ReplyDeleteOn ice, the Canes have seemed to be more disciplined than last year, they appear more aggressive with and without the puck than last year, and for the most part, the forwards seem to be much more defensively responsible (backchecking) than last year. It hasn't translated into much success yet, however, as they still lack a good defensive plan, and they only have 5 wins in 16 tries as a result.
I was going to comment that "at least the Canes weren't the worst in the league this year", but being that Sam Rheinhart is headed back to the Ice, even if the Canes can match or beat their 12 wins from last year BY Christmas, I would say it is very likely that the Ice will be on top of the Canes and well on their way to making the playoffs for like the twentieth season in a row, by the time Santa takes Berehowsky his release papers.
Here are my top five surprizes of the early season:
1. BRICKER. Great on PK. NICE goal the other night. Speed and persistence. Deserves WAY more ice time.
2. NIELSEN on defence. Very impressive considering lack of WHL game experience and acquisition cost (i.e. NONE). Strong and accurate shot from the point! Coaches need to utilize this weapon even more.
3. Lenny Hackman. Good ole Lenny! IF he had been on ANY other team, he would be receiving the credit he deserves... but he is not so he is not. Great decisions with and without the puck. Steady, consistent, and reliable. LOVE this guy. I really hope he is one of our 3 overages next year, though in fairness to him and for his sake, I would love to see a team make a strong move to take him from us.
4. Skinner... obviously. At his age, to have played so well. Maybe, just maybe, he was worth the high price associated with acquiring him. I think I am comfortable saying that I would rather have Skinner than Clague, though to me, given the history of goaltender picks in the WHL Bantam draft, including 2013 when Skinner was picked, it was probable that the Canes could have had BOTH players (Canes traded 6th overall pick to Brandon (who took Clague), Canes then took Skinner (17th) with the pick they got from Brandon (along with Boes). Since the first OTHER tenders weren't taken until 39th, and 53rd, Skinner probably would have been available at 30 where they picked Tak Anholt (who NEVER played for us, and who they later basically gave away, anyway).
5. CARTER Folk. Defender of justice when the officials provide none. I believe there is much underutilized offensive talent here, and that if a pro team from any league needed to choose a skater from the Canes for one game to complete their roster, Carter would get the jersey.
Dreem Wirll
I certainly agree with every point you have made here Dreem. Nice list.
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Hey ( Dreem Wirll) new way to spell. Lets start with your list
ReplyDelete1# Bricker. 19 Year Old who just got his first goal in the WHL also a Pk guy. Great for a camp invite earning and taking advantage of what the organization is giving him. Hard worker. Great the organization gave him the opportunity.
# 2 Nielsen. PP/ PK up against the top line. Being utilized in all situations, not quite sure your comment about being under utilized is correct. What other situations should he play Goalie?
#3 Lenny Hackman. Top four D goes up against all other top players. Canes Defence man of the year 2013/14. Not sure you are watching what everyone else is watching.
# 4 Skinner . Thanks your new name should be Captin Obvious.
# 5 Carter Folk. No pro team takes a player for one game. He's close or has surpassed his totals from previous years with other organizations and if he continues to improve at this rate he will not only play one game but many at a pro level. Are you watching the same game because when I watch he is on the PK/ PP and he plays a regular shift.
Thank Godness your not part of this organization. Watch a game, Get your Facts Straight.
Dreem Wirl. Sam Reinhart will be traded. Why would they keep him? There will be suitors for him, they'll deal him and rebuild their team quickly. They'll finish near the bottom of the standings, get a good draft pick and then also get more high picks or good prospect players. No question in my mind.
ReplyDeleteKirk
Cough cough hurricanes first rounder this year, 3rd in 2016 and a prospect? They are lacking in scoring badly! With sam it opens so many options and a player with high end talent, which the canes haven't had in many years. This can put them over the hump. I see hope in this team and with a play with high end talent such as sam. I can see the canes being very dangerous. Those are my thoughts. DM
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