GAME DAY: Hurricanes Look for 5th Straight Win
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes play their final home game in October tonight when they host the Swift Current Broncos at the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm.
The Hurricanes enter riding a four-game winning streak after beating the Broncos in Swift Current last Saturday 5-3. Jayden Sittler, who leads the league in both goals against average (1.59) and save percentage (.947), stopped 40 shots for his fourth win of the year while five different goal scorers lit the lamp.
The 6-2-0-0 ‘Canes are off to their best start through eight games since 2001-2002 when the team started 6-1-1-0. A win tonight and the Hurricanes will have their best record after nine games since the WHL Championship team of 1996-1997.
Tonight is the final home game in the month of October as the ‘Canes will embark on a season-long six game road trip starting tomorrow night in Edmonton against the Oil Kings. The ‘Canes will then head west for games in Victoria, Vancouver, Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George. Tonight is the first of seven games in the next 11 days.
The Broncos enter tonight’s game on a three game losing streak. Their last game was a 6-1 loss on Wednesday to the Moose Jaw Warriors after back-to-back 5-3 defeats by Brandon and the ‘Canes. Tickets for tonight are available by calling (403) 329-SEAT!
2015-2016 REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS:
Goals (12) – Tyler Wong Assists (15) – Brayden Burke
Points (18) – Brayden Burke
PIMS (26) – Andrew Nielsen Plus/Minus (+13) – Tyler Wong
Wins (4) – Jayden Sittler Shutouts (1) – Jayden Sittler
Save % (.947) – Jayden Sittler Goals Against Average (1.59) – Jayden Sittler
WHO’S HOT:
– Tyler Wong has points in eight straight games (12g-4a); has goals in five straight games (9g); has six straight multi-point games
– Brayden Burke has points in eight straight games (3g-15a); has seven straight multi-point games
– Giorgio Estephan has points in four straight games (1g-9a); in five of six games (2g-11a); has four straight multi-point games
– Kord Pankewicz has points in five straight games (1g-4a)
– Justin Gutierrez has points in five straight games (3g-3a)
– Andrew Nielsen has points in four straight games (4g-5a); has four straight multi-point games
LEAGUE LEADERS:
– Tyler Wong is tied for 1st in WHL with 12 goals
– Tyler Wong is tied for tied for 2nd in WHL Shorthanded Goals with 2
– Tyler Wong is tied for 5th in WHL Plus/Minus with a +12
– Brayden Burke is 1st in WHL with 15 assists
– Brayden Burke is 1st in WHL Power Play assists with 9
– Brayden Burke is 4th in WHL Plus/Minus with a +13
– Giorgio Estephan is tied for 3rd in WHL Power Play assists with 6
– Andrew Nielsen is ranked 11th in WHL with 26 penalty minutes
– Jayden Sittler is ranked 1st in WHL with a 1.59 goals against average
– Jayden Sittler is ranked 1st in WHL with .947 save percentage
MILESTONES:
– Cory Millette is 4 games away from 250 career games
– Justin Gutierrez is 6 games away from 200 career games
– Tyler Wong is 16 games away from 200 career games
– Giorgio Estephan is 11 games away from 150 career games
– Giorgio Estephan is 11 points away from 100 career points
NEWS & NOTES:
Brayden “Assist-Man” Burke: Second year forward Brayden Burke is off to a great start. The Edmonton product has racked up a team-high 18 points in right games. He also leads the WHL in assists with 15; he also leads the WHL in power play assists with nine. He has also racked up seven straight multi-point games.
Captain Clutch: Tyler Wong was unveiled as the 25th Captain in Lethbridge Hurricanes history prior to the Home Opener on September 25th. Wong, who is the longest serving Hurricane, led the team in scoring last season with 56 points (27g-29a). He is currently tied for first in the WHL with goals having potted 12 in the first eight games. He has had four multi-goal games already this season including his third career hat-trick on October 14th against the Pats. He has scored 30.8% of the Hurricanes goals this season.
Best Start in 14 Years: The ‘Canes enter tonight riding a four-game winning streak and sit with a record of 6-2-0-0. That’s the best start to a season after eight games the Hurricanes have had since 2001-2002 when the team started the season with six wins, one loss and one tie. A win tonight and it will be the team’s best start after nine games since 1996-1997.
It’s a Shorty: The Hurricanes are tied for the lead the WHL in shorthanded goals this season having scored three. Tyler Wong has scored two, while Carter Folk has the other. The ‘Canes scored 13 shorthanded goals a season ago and were the only non-playoff team in the double-digits.
Early Conference Success: The Hurricanes have posted an early 6-1-0-0 record against conference opponents. The ‘Canes have defeated Medicine Hat (2), Kootenay, Red Deer, Regina and Swift Current. Their only loss within the Conference came against the Tigers. The Hurricanes are 0-1-0-0 against the Western Conference having dropped a 6-3 decision to the Kelowna Rockets.
Prospects Central: Two Hurricanes prospects will be taking part in the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup in Calgary at Winsport from October 28th to November 1st. Josh Tarzwell, who was selected in the second round, will represent Team Alberta while sixth round pick Zack Kosteniuk will represent Team Saskatchewan. Calen Addison likely would’ve been on Team Manitoba, but the second overall pick suffered a broken leg late last month.
Three ‘Canes to Represent Canada: The Hurricanes three (the most of any WHL team) 16-year-old’s Jordy Bellerive, Brett Davis and Nick Watson have all been selected to represent Canadaattend the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The tournament will take place in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, BC from October 30th until November 7th. The three will be named to one of three Canada squads: Canada Black, Canada Red, or Canada White.
