Hurricanes vs. Blades Preview

HURRICANES vs. SASKATOON

The Lethbridge Hurricanes returned home after a 4 game in 6 night west coast swing that saw them face Victoria, Kamloops and Kelowna. They finished that road trip without a single win and saw their losing streak stretch to 7 games. The Canes record now stands 1-9-0-1 and they continue to struggle offensively – averaging just 2 goals a game while their opponents are putting up an average of 5 goals a game. Tonight, the Canes host Saskatoon in the first of their 4 meetings this season. The Blades come into tonight’s game closing out a 3 game in 3 night road trip that saw them make stops against Calgary and Kootenay. The Blades are coming off a 4-2 win over the Ice and have now jumped up to 3^rd in the Conference. Lethbridge is led by Tyler Wong, Russ Maxwell and Remi Laurencelle who all have 6 points, but Jamal Watson leads the way with 4 goals. As for Saskatoon, they are led offensively by Nathan Burns who has 17 points in 13 games, while rookie Nikita Scherbak and Collin Valcourt have 16 and 13 points respectively.

In 2012-2013, the Blades won the season series 3 games to 1. The lone Hurricanes win was on November 3^rd when they won 5-4 in a shootout. Ryan Pilon, Remi Laurencelle and Tyler Wong all had 3 points against the Blades last season.

Hurricanes Stats Leaders:

Points (6) – Remi Laurencelle, Russ Maxwell, Tyler Wong

Assists (6) – Remi Laurencelle   

Goals (4) – Jamal Watson

PIMs (38) – Brady Ramsay

Plus/Minus (Even) –Kolten Olynek

 

Hurricanes Point Leaders:                                         Blades Point Leaders:

Tyler Wong: 6 points (3G, 3A)                                        Nathan Burns: 17 points (7G, 10A)

Russ Maxwell: 6 points (2G, 4A)                                      Nikita Scherback: 16 points (6G, 10A)

Remi Laurencelle: 6 points (6A)                                      Colin Valcourt: 13 points (7G, 6A)

Jamal Watson: 5 points (4G, 1A)                                     Matt Revel: 10 points (1G, 9A)

Ryan Pilon: 5 points (1G, 4A)                                          Graeme Craig: 8 points (2G, 6A)

Milestone Watch:

Jamal Watson played in his 150^th career WHL game on Oct 14^th  

Russ Maxwell is 2 goals away from 50….Brady Ramsay is 6 games from 200, 9 points from 100 and Macoy Erkamps is 8 games from 150.

NEWS & NOTES:

TRADING BLOCK: On Oct. 18^th the Canes sent veteran forwards Jaimen Yakubowski and Sam McKechnie (two of last year’s top 3 point getters) home to await a trade. Their agents and families requested trades and GM Brad Robson sent them home while a deal can be worked out. Earlier this month (on October 9^th) the Hurricanes shipped D-man Adam Henry to the Seattle Thunderbirds for 18-year old D-man Griffin Foulk. The product of Broomfield, CO played in 46 games for the T-Birds last season and had 4 points (2G, 2A) with 41 PIM’s. He had played 3 games for Seattle prior to the trade…RE-ASSIGNED: The Hurricanes resolved their “crowded crease” when they re-assigned 17-year old Goalie Jonny Hogue to the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL. Hogue started in the Canes home opener September 20^th and stopped 32 of the shots he faced in a 6-1 loss to the Tigers. PROSPECT WATCH: On October 15^th, Team Alberta and Team BC named their rosters for the upcoming U16 Challenge Cup. Forward Tak Anholt was named to Team BC while Forward Jaeger White and Goalie Stuart Skinner will play for Team Alberta.

LEADING THE WAY:The Lethbridge Hurricanes announced overage forward Josh Derko as the 23^rd Captain in franchise history. Brady Ramsay and 16-year-old D-man Ryan Pilon are assistants. THE OVERAGERS: The ‘Canes will be looking for veteran leadership once again as the 20-year-old players on the team are Josh Derko, Brady Ramsay and Corbin Boes. Departed overage players Michael Sofillas and Spencer Galbraith both attended training camp for the team but were released prior to the start of the season…IN THE CAGE: The ‘Canes will be looking to starting goaltender Corbin Boes, acquired during an offseason trade with the Brandon Wheat Kings at the Bantam Draft.  In 8 games, Boes has a .895 save percentage and a 4.82 GAA. Chris Tai is the back-up. He is 0-2 with a save percentage of .852.

SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED:After a tryout with the Winnipeg Jets, Forward Axel Blomqvist signed a 3-year, two-way entry level contract with the NHL Club. Also attending camps: Macoy Erkamps (Ottawa Senators Development Camp), and Josh Derko (San Jose Rookie Camp). Jaimen Yakubowski who was recently sent home to await a trade attended the Detroit Red Wings prospect camp…CENTRAL SCOUTING: On Central Scouting’s preliminary list on September 23^rd Reid Duke and listed Hurricanes player Chase Phelps were listed as “C” North American skaters to watch. In 57 games last season, Duke had 24 points (8G, 16A)…DENIED BY IIHF: The IIHF finally made its ruling on October 3^rd that the Canes 20^th overall pick in the Import Draft, D-man Kristian Khenkel is not permitted to play. In 2011 he signed a contract at the age of 14 (legal for sports employment) and he must return to Minsk to fulfill the 5-yr. contract.

Upcoming Schedule:

Sunday, October 20^th – AT Calgary Hitmen, 4:00PM

Tuesday, October 22^nd – vs. Portland, 7:00PM

Thursday, October 24^th – vs. Moose Jaw, 7:00pm

Tuesday, October 29^th – vs. Swift Current, 7:00pm

Saturday, November 2^nd – vs. Tri-City, 7:00pm