GAME DAY: Hurricanes Open Home Stretch Against Hitmen
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes return to the ENMAX Centre tonight at 7:00pm as they welcome the Calgary Hitmen in the first of two meetings this week.
The Hurricanes (5-4-1-0) enter on a three-game losing streak after suffering a 3-1 setback in Regina to the Pats on Saturday. Trae Wilke scored for the second-straight game in the defeat while Brady Smith stopped all 18-shots he saw in relief of Harrison Meneghin. Lethbridge was outshot 26-20 in the contest. The Hurricanes enter tonight with a 2-0-1-0 record at home so far this season.
The Hitmen (2-7-0-0) enter on a four-game losing streak as they sit last place in the Eastern Conference. Calgary is coming off a 2-0 shutout loss in Saskatoon to the Blades on Saturday. The Hitmen have been outscored 9-2 in their last two games while having posted a 1-6-0-0 record in seven road games so far this year.
Tonight will be the first of seven meetings on the season between the Hurricanes and the Hitmen. Lethbridge earned a 4-3-0-0 record against Calgary last year while having gone 11-4-0-0 against the Hitmen over the last two seasons. Tickets for tonight’s game can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
DOWNLOAD GAME NOTES/STATS HERE: 2023-10-18 – LET vs. CGY
VS. HITMEN: Tonight will be the first of seven meetings on the season between the Hurricanes and Hitmen. Lethbridge posted a 4-3-0-0 record in seven meetings against Calgary last season and are 11-4-0-0 over the last two seasons against the Hitmen. The Hurricanes have posted an all-time record of 84-93-9-5 with six ties against the Hitmen while going 46-44-3-3 with four ties all-time at the ENMAX Centre.
2023-2024 REGULAR SEASON SERIES
October 18th/2023 – at Lethbridge
October 22nd/2023 – at Calgary
October 27th/2023 – at Lethbridge
November 29th/2023 – at Lethbridge
February 3rd/2024 – at Lethbridge
February 25th/2024 – at Calgary
March 17th/2024 – at Calgary
2022-2023 REGULAR SEASON SERIES:
December 17th/2022 – at LET (7-2 CGY)
January 15th/2023 – at CGY (4-1 LET)
February 15th/2023 – at LET (3-0 LET)
February 25th/2023 – at CGY (4-3 LET)
March 15th/2023 – at CGY (7-1 CGY)
March 17th/2023 – at LET (6-4 LET)
March 22nd/2023 – at LET (3-2 CGY)
2023-2024 REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS:
Goals (4) – Brayden Edwards
Assists (7) – Logan Wormald
Points (9) – Logan Wormald & Miguel Marques
PIMS (17) – Landen Ward
Plus/Minus (+4) – Noah Chadwick & Kale Tipler
Wins (5) – Harrison Meneghin
Shutouts (1) – Harrison Meneghin
Save % (.933) – Harrison Meneghin
Goals Against Average (2.17) – Harrison Meneghin
WHO’S HOT (Dating Back to Last Season):
– Trae Wilke has points in 2 straight games (2g)
– Kale Tipler has points in 2 straight games (3a)
– Noah Chadwick has points in 6 of 8 games (2g-5a); 9 of 14 games (3g-8a)
– Joe Arntsen has points in 2 of 5 games (1g-1a); 3 of 7 games (1g-3a); 16 of 27 games (4g-14a)
– Logan Wormald has points in 7 of 10 games (2g-7a); 9 of 13 games (3g-8a)
– Miguel Marques has points in 4 of 7 games (3g-4a); 6 of 10 games (3g-6a); 10 of 15 games (5g-8a)
– Brayden Edwards has points in 4 of 7 games (2g-3a); 6 of 10 games (4g-4a); 18 of 30 games (10g-14a)
– Carter Dereniwsky has points in 2 of 5 games (2g-1a); 3 of 7 games (3g-1a)
– Tyson Zimmer has points in 5 of 9 games (3g-3a); 7 of 12 games (5g-3a); 15 of 24 games (9g-9a)
– Tristen Doyle has points in 3 of 9 games (4a); 4 of 12 games (5a)
– Chase Pauls has points in 3 of 8 games (1g-2a); 4 of 10 games (2g-2a)
REGULAR SEASON MILESTONE WATCH:
– Logan McCutcheon is 23 points away from 100 career points
– Logan McCutcheon is 27 games away from 200 career games
– Chase Pauls is 1 point away from 50 career points
– Joe Arntsen is 14 points away from 100 career points
– Noah Chadwick is 12 games away from 100 career games
– Miguel Marques is 21 games away from 100 career games
– Logan Wormald is 9 points away from 100 career points
– Logan Wormald is 19 games away from 150 career games
– Tyson Zimmer is 5 assists away from 50 career assists
– Tyson Zimmer is 21 points away from 100 career points
– Blake Swetlikoff is 13 points away from 100 career points
– Harrison Meneghin is 4 games away from 50 career games
NEWS & NOTES:
Thru 10: The Hurricanes enter tonight with a 5-4-1-0 record (11 points) on the season after 10 games. The ‘Canes are 2-0-1-0 at home and 3-4-0-0 on the road so far this season. In 2022-2023, the Hurricanes had posted a 4-6-0-0 record after 10 games.
Home Cookin’: After starting the season with seven of their first 10 games on the road, the Hurricanes open a stretch of 10 games where they will play eight games at home. The ‘Canes will face Central Division opponents three times, East Division opponents once and US Division opponents four times during that stretch; Lethbridge is posted a 2-0-1-0 record on home-ice this season.
In & Out: Lethbridge made a trio of roster moves last week as they added 2006-born forward Cole Cairns to their roster. Cairns was previously drafted in the fourth round by the Portland Winterhawks in 2021. The ‘Canes also waived 2004-born import forward Anton Astashevich while trading 2004-born forward Hayden Smith to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for an eighth-round draft pick in 2027.
Balanced Attack: After 10 games this season, the Hurricanes have scored a total of 30 goals for an average of 3.00 goals per game. Last year, Lethbridge averaged 2.96 goals per game. A total of seven players have recorded five-or-more points so far while all but one ‘Canes skater has at least a single point.
Killin’ It: Entering tonight, the Hurricanes have killed off 38 of 41 penalties taken so far this season for a kill rate of 92.7% through the first 10 outings. Last year, the ‘Canes held the eighth-best PK including the top ranked home penalty kill. So far, Lethbridge has the top ranked penalty kill in the WHL this year.
Canada Coach: Hurricanes Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager Matt Anholt was named as an Assistant Coach for Hockey Canada for the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Anholt will serve on the coaching staff for Canada Red in Prince Edward Island from November 2-11. It is the second straight season the ‘Canes have had a coach for the U17’s after Ryan Aasman was a Video Coach last year.
Perfect September: The Hurricanes started the season winning all three games in the month of September to start the year with three straight victories. It was the first time since 2008-2009 that the ‘Canes started a season with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record. Lethbridge has posted a 2-4-1-0 record so far in October.
Great Start: After returning from the Minnesota Wild’s Training Camp, goaltender Harrison Meneghin has been tremendous for the Hurricanes. The South Surrey, BC, product has posted a 5-3-1-0 record in nine starts posting a 2.17 goals against average and a .933 save percentage with one shutout.
New Bench Boss: The Hurricanes announced Bill Peters the 15th head coach in team history on August 30th. Peters, who has served as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames, returns to the WHL for the first time since 2008. He helped guide the Spokane Chiefs to a WHL and Memorial Cup Championship in 2008 before going to professional hockey. He has posted a 117-95-14 record in the WHL.
