GAME DAY: Hurricanes Welcome Americans in Lone Meeting
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continue a season-long four-game homestand tonight at 7:00pm as they welcome the Tri-City Americans to the ENMAX Centre on Wild 95.5 Country Night.
The Hurricanes (18-15-3-0) enter on a three-game winning streak after earning a 6-3 victory on Wednesday at home against the Swift Current Broncos. Tyson Zimmer and Brayden Edwards each scored twice while Logan Wormald and Elias Knoester added singles. Harrison Meneghin made 25-saves in the win. Lethbridge has collected seven out of a possible eight points since returning from the Christmas break. The ‘Canes hold a 10-6-3-0 record at home this season.
The Americans (15-16-2-1) enter on a five-game losing streak having posted an 0-4-1-0 record in that span. The Americans have been off since an 11-3 drubbing by the Spokane Chiefs on December 30th. Jackson Smith, Andrew Fan and Parker Bell scored in the home defeat. Tri-City enters tonight with a 4-9-1-0 record on the road this season as they open their six-game Central Division road trip.
Tonight will be the lone meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Americans; the ‘Canes went 0-1-0-0 in the lone matchup last season on the road. It will also mark Tri-City’s first visit to Lethbridge since November 9th, 2019. 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: 2024-01-05 – LET vs. TC
VS. AMERICANS: Tonight will be the only meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Americans. Lethbridge posted an 0-1-0-0 record in the lone meeting last season in Tri-City. The ‘Canes have posted an 0-3-1-1 record in the last five meetings against the Americans dating back to the 2015-2016 season. Lethbridge has posted an all-time record of 19-24-1-1 with two ties while going 12-12-0-0 record all-time at the ENMAX Centre against the Amerks. Tonight will be Tri-City’s first visit to Lethbridge since November 9th, 2019 – a span of 1,518 days.
2023-2024 REGULAR SEASON SERIES
January 5th/2024 – at Lethbridge
2022-2023 REGULAR SEASON SERIES:
December 2nd/2022 – at Tri-City (4-2 TC)
2023-2024 REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS:
Goals (17) – Brayden Edwards & Miguel Marques
Assists (26) – Miguel Marques
Points (43) – Miguel Marques
PIMS (69) – Landen Ward
Plus/Minus (+17) – Brayden Edwards
Wins (16) – Harrison Meneghin
Shutouts (2) – Harrison Meneghin
Save % (.921) – Harrison Meneghin
Goals Against Average (2.43) – Harrison Meneghin
WHO’S HOT:
– Noah Chadwick has points in 2 straight games (5a); 5 of 6 games (1g-9a); 23 of 34 games (7g-24a)
– Brayden Edwards has points in 2 straight games (2g-2a); 5 of 6 games (4g-4a); 21 of 31 games (15g-18a)
– Miguel Marques has points in 2 straight games (1g-3a); 4 of 5 games (4g-5a); 13 of 17 games (13g-15a)
– Logan Wormald has points in 2 straight games (1g-3a); 3 of 4 games (1g-5a); 13 of 17 games (6g-17a)
– Logan McCutcheon has points in 2 straight games (2a); 3 of 4 games (1g-2a); 5 of 9 games (2g-4a)
– Trae Wilke has points in 2 straight games (1g-2a); 3 of 4 games (1g-4a); 6 of 12 games (3g-5a)
– Tyson Zimmer has points in 2 straight games (3g); 3 of 4 games (3g-2a); 9 of 17 games (5g-7a)
– Elias Knoester has points in 7 of 10 games (3g-4a); 9 of 14 games (5g-5a); 10 of 17 games (5g-6a)
– Tristen Doyle has points in 2 of 4 games (2a); 3 of 9 games (4a)
– Leo Braillard has points in 3 of 6 games (2g-2a); 7 of 11 games (4g-7a); 13 of 18 games (7g-13a)
REGULAR SEASON MILESTONE WATCH:
– Logan McCutcheon is 1 game away from 200 career games
– Logan McCutcheon is 8 points away from 100 career points
– Joe Arntsen is 3 points away from 100 career points
– Tristen Doyle is 2 games away from 100 career games
– Kooper Gizowski is 4 games away from 150 career games
– Logan Wormald is 2 games away from 150 career games
– Logan Wormald is 6 goals away from 50 career goals
– Brayden Edwards is 7 points away from 100 career points
– Tyson Zimmer is 4 points away from 100 career points
– Blake Swetlikoff is 6 points away from 100 career points
– Blake Swetlikoff is 6 games away from 200 career games
NEWS & NOTES:
Thru 36: The Hurricanes enter tonight with an 18-15-3-0 record (39 points) on the season after 36 games. The ‘Canes are 10-6-3-0 at home and 8-9-0-0 on the road so far this season. In 2022-2023, the Hurricanes had posted a 21-14-0-1 record after 36 games.
Goalie of the Week: On January 2nd, the WHL named Hurricanes netminder Harrison Meneghin the Goaltender of the Week, marking the second time in his career he has been bestowed the honour. In two games after returning from injury, Meneghin posted a 2-0-0-0 record with a 1.44 goals against average and a .957 save percentage. Meneghin sits tied for second in WHL victories this year with a 16-9-2-0 record.
Year in Review: The Hurricanes finished the calendar year of 2023 with a 4-2 win on December 30th in Medicine Hat against the Tigers. Lethbridge finished 2023 with a record of 33-28-6-2 in 69 regular season games collecting a win percentage of .536%. The ‘Canes posted a 19-11-4-1 record in 35 home games during the year while going 14-17-2-1 in 34 road games. Lethbridge is 1-0-0-0 to start 2024.
NHL Ink: Hurricanes defenceman Noah Chadwick signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 22nd. The Saskatoon, SK, product was a sixth-round (185th overall) selection by the Leafs in the 2023 NHL Draft. He became the first ‘Cane since Dylan Cozens (BUF) to sign an ELC deal. Chadwick has recorded 31 points (7g-24a) in 34 games with the Hurricanes this season. He leads the ‘Canes in defenceman scoring while sitting seventh among all WHL blueliners in points.
Swiss Pick: Leo Braillard represented Switzerland at the 2024 World Junior Championship becoming the first ‘Cane to represent the Swiss at the World Juniors since Luca Sbisa attended three-straight tournaments (2008, 2009, 2010). Braillard collected one goal in five games with Switzerland. The 2005-born forward, who was acquired by the ‘Canes on CHL waivers from the Shawinigan Cataractes, has recorded 20 points (7g-13a) in 18 games with the Hurricanes. He has collected 24 points (9g-15a) in 25 CHL games this year.
Miggy-Wiggy: Sophomore forward Miguel Marques has been on a tear of late entering tonight with points in 11 of his last 13 games having collected 22 points (10g-12a) in those 13 contests. The Prince George, BC, product has recorded 28 points (13g-15a) in his last 17 games while he leads the team in goals (17), assists (26) and points (43). He was ranked as a ‘C’ skater by NHL Central Scouting Service.
Three Amigos: The trio of Miguel Marques, Brayden Edwards and Logan Wormald have been red-hot for the Hurricanes of late. The ‘Canes trio have combined for a whopping 68-points, including 25 goals, over the last 16 games – an average of 4.25 points per game. The three have combined to score 25 of the ‘Canes last 58 goals in 16 games, totaling 43.1% of the team’s goals in that span. Marques leads the team with 43 points on the season while Edwards (38) and Wormald (31) are second and third in team scoring.
