GAME DAY: Hurricanes Begin Home-stand Against Broncos
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes begin a season long seven game home-stand tonight as they welcome the Swift Current Broncos at 7:00pm at the ENMAX Centre.
The Hurricanes (4-4-0-0) are coming off their first road victory of the season last Sunday when they defeated the Calgary Hitmen at Scotiabank Saddledome. Giorgio Estephan, Jordy Bellerive and Zane Franklin scored in the game while Stuart Skinner made 30 saves for the win. The ‘Canes outshot the Hitmen 37-31 in the game and improved to 1-3-0-0 away from home with the victory.
The Broncos (8-1-0-0) are coming off their first defeat of the season on Saturday having been handed a 4-3 loss by the Edmonton Oil Kings in Swift Current. The Broncos began the season with eight straight victories before the loss. Broncos’ sniper Tyler Steenbergen enters play tonight first in the WHL with 16 goals in nine games and second in points with 25. The Broncos are a perfect 5-0-0-0 on the road this season.
Tonight will be the second meeting of the season as the Broncos defeated the ‘Canes 6-2 in the first match-up on October 10th in Swift Current.
Tickets for tonight’s game are available online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
2017-2018 REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS:
Goals (4) – Four Players Assists (10) – Giorgio Estephan
Points (14) – Giorgio Estephan
PIMS (17) – Ty Prefontaine Plus/Minus (+5) – Igor Merehko
Wins (4) – Stuart Skinner Shutouts (0) – N/A
Save % (.912) – Stuart Skinner Goals Against Average (3.06) – Stuart Skinner
WHO’S HOT:
– Giorgio Estephan has points in 6 straight games (3g-9a); 7 of 8 games (4g-10a)
– Giorgio Estephan has goals in 3 of 4 games (3g)
– Calen Addison has points in 6 straight games (2g-6a)
– Jordy Bellerive has points 3 straight games (3g-4a); 5 of 6 games (4g-6a); 6 of 8 games (4g-7a)
– Dylan Cozens has points in 2 straight games (1g-1a); 5 of 6 games (3g-3a); 6 of 8 games (4g-3a)
– Zane Franklin has points in 2 straight games (1g-1a); 4 of 5 games (1g-3a)
– Igor Merezhko has points in 3 of 6 games (1g-3a); 4 of 8 games (1g-5a)
– Jack Flaman has points in 3 of 5 games (4g-2a)
– Brady Pouteau has points in 2 of 5 games (2a)
2017-2018 REGULAR SEASON LEADERS:
– Giorgio Estephan is tied 10th in WHL Scoring with 14 points & tied for 7th in WHL Assists with 10
– Giorgio Estephan is tied 3rd in WHL Power Play Assists with 7
– Calen Addison tied 4th in WHL Power Play Assists with 6
– Jordy Bellerive is tied 3rd in WHL Power Play Goals with 4 & tied 6th in WHL Power Play Assists with 4
– Igor Merezhko is tied 11th in WHL Plus/Minus with a plus-5 rating
– Ty Prefontaine is tied 10th in WHL Penalty Minutes with 17
– Stuart Skinner is 9th in WHL Minutes by a Goaltender with 471
– Stuart Skinner is 5th in WHL Saves by a Goaltender with 250 & 6th in WHL Shots Faced with 274
MILESTONE WATCH:
– Brennan Riddle is 15 games away from 200 career games
– Giorgio Estephan is 34 games away from 300 career games
– Igor Merezhko is 14 games away from 150 career games
– Jordy Bellerive is 7 games away from 150 career games
– Ryan Vandervlis is 4 games away from 150 career games
– Jake Elmer is 18 games away from 100 career games
– Brady Pouteau is 1 game away from 100 career games
– Stuart Skinner is 24 wins away from 100 career victories
– Brent Kisio is 10 wins away from 100 career victories
NEWS & NOTES:
Canada Calls: Hockey Canada announced October 17th that Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens is one of 66-players that will represent Canada at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, BC. ‘Canes Assistant Coach Jeff Hansen and Video Coach Andrew Doty will also take part as Video Coaches.
Canada-Russia: The WHL announced October 17th that Hurricanes goaltender Stuart Skinner is one of two goaltenders that will suit up for Team WHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series. It will be the second straight season a ‘Cane will represent the WHL after Giorgio Estephan took part last year. The WHL hosts Games 1 and 2 of the six game series on November 6th and 7th in Moose Jaw and Swift Current.
Addison Gold/Pre-Draft Rankings: ‘Canes defenseman Calen Addison was ranked as a ‘B’ skater on the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary ‘Players to Watch’ List. The sophomore recorded 33 points as a 16-year-old last season. Addison, along with ‘Canes head coach Brent Kisio, won a Gold medal at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup Tournament in Slovakia in August.
El Capitano: The Hurricanes announced prior to the home opener that five-year veteran Giorgio Estephan has been named the 25th Captain in franchise history, succeeding Tyler Wong. The team named Jordy Bellerive, Tanner Nagel and Ryan Vandervlis as Alternate Captains.
Big Deal: On Wednesday, September 27th the Hurricanes acquired overage defenseman Tate Olson from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for a 2018 third round draft pick. Olson, who was a Vancouver Canucks draft pick in 2015, has played in 252 career WHL games. He is sidelined until November after undergoing off-season surgery.
Belly-Inked: Hurricanes forward Jordy Bellerive signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, September 16th. Bellerive was undrafted in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft but was invited to camp by the Penguins. He played in one exhibition game with the Penguins before being re-assigned.
Hometown Team: Hurricanes goaltender Stuart Skinner was the first WHL goalie selected in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft when his hometown Edmonton Oilers picked him in the third round (78th overall). Skinner attended the Oilers training camp appearing one game in the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton.
Home Sweet Home: The Hurricanes have been one of the best teams on home ice over the last two seasons. The ‘Canes have posted an impressive 53-15-2-2 record at the ENMAX Centre over the last two regular seasons (a winning percentage of .736%). The ‘Canes are 3-1-0-0 to start the new season.
