GAME DAY: Hurricanes Host Oil Kings in Rematch
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes return home to the ENMAX Centre tonight to face the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:00pm in the second of a back-to-back, home-and-home.
The Hurricanes (1-2-0-0) dropped a 7-6 decision last night in Edmonton to the Oil Kings in the first of the home-and-home set. The ‘Canes were led by Dylan Cozens who scored twice while Shawn Harke, Igor Merezhko, Jordy Bellerive and newcomer Jack Flaman added singles. Giorgio Estephan had three assists in the losing cause.
The Oil Kings (1-2-0-0) earned their first victory of the season with the 7-6 triumph last night. Colton Kehler and Nick Bowman each scored twice in the win while Scott Atkinson, Will Warm and Trey Fix-Wolansky added the others. It was just the sixth victory for Edmonton in their last 37 games dating back to last season.
Tonight will be the second of six head-to-head meetings between the ‘Canes and Oil Kings. The Hurricanes won all three meetings against Edmonton at the ENMAX Centre last year.
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 (2) – Jadon Joseph Assists (2) – Josh Tarzwell
Points (3) – Jadon Joseph
PIMS (6) – Jordy Bellerive Plus/Minus (+2) – Igor Merezhko
Wins (1) – Stuart Skinner Shutouts (0) – N/A
Save % (.939) – Stuart Skinner Goals Against Average (2.54) – Stuart Skinner
2017-2018 PRE-SEASON STATS LEADERS:
Goals (3) – Ryan Vandervlis Assists (3) – Four Players
Points (4) – Four Players
PIMS (14) – Jadon Joseph Plus/Minus (+3) – Tanner Nagel & Shawn Harke
Wins (1) – Adam Swan Shutouts (0) – N/A
Save % (.906) – Stuart Skinner Goals Against Average (3.18) – Stuart Skinner
2016-2017 REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS:
Goals (51) – Tyler Wong Assists (59) – Brennan Menell
Points (109) – Tyler Wong
PIMS (103) – Zane Franklin Plus/Minus (+29) – Tyler Wong
Wins (34) – Stuart Skinner Shutouts (2) – Stuart Skinner
Save % (.905) – Stuart Skinner Goals Against Average (3.26) – Stuart Skinner
MILESTONE WATCH:
– Brennan Riddle is 20 games away from 200 career games
– Kyle Yewchuk is 3 games away from 100 career games
– Giorgio Estephan is 39 games away from 300 career games
– Giorgio Estephan is 6 points away from 250 career points
– Jack Flaman is 2 games away from 150 career games
– Jordy Bellerive is 12 games away from 150 career games
– Jordy Bellerive is 5 points away from 100 career points
– Ryan Vandervlis is 8 games away from 150 career games
– Jadon Joseph is 29 games away from 100 career games
– Zane Franklin is 27 games away from 100 career games
– Stuart Skinner is 25 wins away from 100 career victories
– Brent Kisio is 13 wins away from 100 career victories
NEWS & NOTES:
El Capitano: The Hurricanes announced 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.
Additions & Subtractions: The ‘Canes added overage forward Jack Flaman and 1999-born forward Zach Cox while releasing 1999-born forward Connor Lyons. Flaman, who played for the Vancouver Giants last year, joins the ‘Canes from the Notre Dame Hounds of the SJHL. Cox comes to the ‘Canes also from the SJHL where he started the year with the Nipawin Hawks.
Addison Gold/Pre-Draft Rankings: ‘Canes defenseman Calen Addison was ranked on TSN’s Craig Button’s pre-draft ranking as the 38th overall skater for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. 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.
Menell Signs: Hurricanes defenseman Brennan Menell has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild. Menell, who is from Woodbury, Minnesota, was invited to camp on a try-out. He appeared in one pre-season game for the Wild recording one assist against the Colorado Avalanche.
Elmer Trade: The ‘Canes announced on September 18th that they had acquired 19-year-old forward Jake Elmer and a fifth round draft pick from the Kootenay Ice in exchange for overage forward Alec Baer. Elmer registered one goal in five pre-season contests with the Ice this season.
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.
Stuey Back: On Sunday, September 17th the Edmonton Oilers re-assigned Stuart Skinner back to the ‘Canes. Skinner, who hails from Edmonton, was drafted by his hometown Oilers in the third round (78th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft. He appeared in 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 the last two regular seasons (a winning percentage of .736%). The ‘Canes are 1-0-0-0 to start the new season.
