Game Day Preview: Hurricanes visit Rockets

Hurricanes vs. Kelowna

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will try and end their 6 game losing slide and their 4 game BC road trip on a high note when they face the Rockets tonight. Lethbridge continues to struggle early in the season with just one win in their past 10 games while Kelowna is second in the BC Division and 5^th in the nation at 5-1-0-2. The Hurricanes enter the game still trying to get their special teams and offense going as they are managing just over 2 goals a game while the Rockets are averaging nearly 5 goals a game. Jamal Watson leads the way with 4 goals this season, but it’s Tyler Wong, Russ Maxwell and Remi Laurencelle who all have 6 points. As for the opposition, the Rockets are led by Tyson Baillie who is off to a blazing start with 12 points (4G, 8A) and a +7 plus/minus rating.

In 2012-2013, Kelowna swept the season series with the Hurricanes last year, winning 3-1 on December 12^th and on March 2^nd they won 7-1.

Hurricanes Stats Leaders:

Points (6) – Remi Laurencelle, Russ Maxwell, Tyler Wong

Assists (6) – Remi Laurencelle   

Goals (4) – Jamal Watson

PIMs (30) – Brady Ramsay

Plus/Minus (Even) – Axel Blomqvist, Kolten Olynek, Spencer Meyer

Canes Points Leaders:                                 Rockets Points Leaders:

Tyler Wong: 3G, 3A – 6 points                         Tyson Baillie: 4G, 8A – 12 points

Russ Maxwell: 2G, 4A – 6 points                      Zach Franko: 2G, 8A – 10 points

Remi Laurencelle: 0G, 6A – 6 points                Nick Merkley: 5G, 4A – 9 points

JamalWatson: 4G, 1A – 5 points                      Madison Bowey: 4G, 5A – 9 points

Ryan Pilon: 1G, 4A – 5 points

Milestone Watch:

Sam McKechnie & Jamal Watson played in their 150^th career WHL games (Oct 9^th & 14^th respectively)

Russ Maxwell is 2 goals away from 50

Brady Ramsay is 7 games from 200, 9 points from 100

Jaimen Yakubowski is 6 games from 150

Macoy Erkamps is 9 games from 150

NEWS & NOTES:

PROSPECT WATCH: On October 15^th, Team Alberta and Team BC named their rosters for the upcoming U16 Challenge Cup. Forward Tak Anholt was named to Team BC while Forward Jaeger White and Goalie Stuart Skinner will play for Team Alberta. TRADE WINDS: The Hurricanes swapped D-men with Seattle on October 9^th, sending veteran blueliner Adam Henry to the T-Birds for 18-year old Griffin Foulk. Drafted by the Hurricanes in 2009, Henry played 109 career games with Lethbridge where he registered 37 points (9G, 28A), -13 and 93 PIM’s. Last year with Seattle, Foulk had 4 points (2G, 2A) and 41 PIM’s.IN THE CAGE: The ‘Canes will be looking to starting goaltender Corbin Boes, acquired during an offseason trade with the Brandon Wheat Kings at the Bantam Draft.  In 6 games, Boes has a .901 save percentage and a 4.36 GAA. Fighting for the backup spot is Chris Tai who is 0-2 with a save percentage of .851 and rookie Jonny Hogue who is 0-1 with a .842 save percentage…SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED:After a tryout with the Winnipeg Jets, Forward Axel Blomqvist signed a 3-year, two-way entry level contract with the NHL Club. The 6’6 Swede was one of five players to attend NHL rookie and development camps over the summer. The others are Jaimen Yakubowski (Detroit Red Wings Development Camp), Macoy Erkamps (Ottawa Senators Development Camp), Josh Derko (San Jose Rookie Camp)…CENTRAL SCOUTING: On Central Scouting’s preliminary list on September 23^rd Reid Duke and listed Hurricanes player Chase Phelps were listed as “C” North American skaters to watch. In 57 games last season, Duke had 24 points (8G, 16A)…DENIED BY IIHF: The IIHF finally made its ruling on October 3^rd that the Canes 20^th overall pick in the Import Draft, D-man Kristian Khenkel is not permitted to play. In 2011 he signed a contract at the age of 14 (legal for sports employment) and he must return to Minsk to fulfill the contract which is valid until 2016… ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: In late September, former Hurricanes defenceman Dan Johnston signed a contract with the ECHL’s Colorado Eagles. Meanwhile, Ty Rimmer who had a successful tryout with the Edmonton Oilers signed with their farm team, the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons. He’s since been sent to Quad City of the CHL.

Upcoming Schedule:

Saturday, October 19^th – vs. Saskatoon, 7:00PM

Sunday, October 20^th – AT Calgary Hitmen, 4:00PM

Tuesday, October 22^nd – vs. Portland, 7:00PM

Thursday, October 24^th – vs. Moose Jaw, 7:00pm

Tuesday, October 29^th – vs. Swift Current, 7:00pm