WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes

Canes Weekly

Published on February 5, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Lethbridge Hurricanes News Release


Last Week:

Friday, February 1st "" Hurricanes (3) vs. Rebels (2)

The Canes and Rebels have played twice with Red Deer winning both games in shootouts. The teams each had their chances in the opening frame, but both goalies (Ty Rimmer and Patrik Bartosak) stood their ground stopping the 9 shots they each faced in the 1st. The Rebels broke the scoreless draw just 5 minutes into the 2nd period when Dominik Volek scored on the PP for a 1-0 lead. Lethbridge would respond 8 minutes later on their own PP when Captain Graham Hood scored his 9th of the season to even the game after 40 minutes. Matt Dumba gave the Rebels the lead once again in the 3rd, but Lethbridge would tie the game 2-2 when Sam McKechnie scored his 23rd of the season on a shorthanded breakaway. Late in the game, Russ Maxwell would bury the game winner (his 19th of the season which ended his 12 game goal scoring drought) giving the Canes their first win over the Rebels this season. Ty Rimmer made 31 saves in the win.

Saturday, February 2nd "" Hurricanes (0) at Ice (3)

Special teams were in the difference in the Canes game vs. the Kootenay Ice on Saturday night. It was a good start for the Hurricanes, but had no goals to show for their efforts despite having three straight powerplays to start the game. It was scoreless after the opening 20 minutes with Kootenay holding the edge in shots 11-5. Lethbridge had another power play opportunity in the second period, but instead they gave up a shorthanded goal. Levi Cable picked off a pass and snapped a shot over Ty Rimmer, giving the Ice the early lead. About four minutes later, Kootenay would add to their lead, this time on the powerplay when Joey Leach's point shot beat Rimmer, to make it 2-0 after 40 minutes. The Canes were better in the 3rd, but again couldn't score and the Ice would finish off the game with an empty-netter on the powerplay as they won 3-0.

2012 "" 2013 Stats Leaders:

Points (43), Goals (27), PIMs (116) "" Jaimen Yakubowski

PPGs (9) "" Russell Maxwell

Assists (27) "" Macoy Erkamps

Rookie Points Leader (30) "" Axel Blomqvist

Plus/Minus (+12) "" Reid Duke

Practice Schedule:

Monday "" 9:00am Workout

Tuesday "" Game Day at Regina

Wednesday "" Game Day at Brandon

Thursday "" TBD

Friday "" Game Day at Prince Albert

Saturday "" Game Day at Saskatoon

Looking Ahead:

Tuesday, February 5th "" Hurricanes at Regina

The Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats are wrapping up their 4 game season series and the Canes have a chance to split the series with a win. Lethbridge enters the game in a tight playoff race as they sit 6th in the East Conference with 56 points "" just 4 points back of the 4th place Red Deer Rebels and 3 points up on 8th place Medicine Hat. In their first meeting of the season back in October, Lethbridge skated to a 6-1 win while Regina has won the last two meetings (4-0 and 3-2). Against the Pats this year, the Canes are led by Jamal Watson who has 3 points (2G, 1A) while 5 others have 2 points each. In the past 5 years between the clubs, the Hurricanes have a 10-7-0-2 record (including 5-3-0-1 in Regina)

Wednesday, February 6th "" Hurricanes at Brandon

The Lethbridge Hurricanes and Wheat Kings close out their 4 game season series. In their 3 previous matchups the Canes have posted a 2-1 record with wins of 6-1, 5-3 and a 5-3 loss. Leading the way against the Wheat Kings this year are Jaimen Yakubowski, Russ Maxwell, Brady Ramsay, Jamal Watson and Macoy Erkamps who all have 2 goals against Brandon this year.

Friday, February 8th "" Hurricanes at Prince Albert

Lethbridge and Prince Albert will close out their four game season series Friday night. The Prince Albert Raiders have been near the top of the East Conference all season long and at one point both teams contended for 1st overall. Lethbridge lost the first two meetings of the season by scores of 4-1 and 3-2 while back on November 28th the Canes posted a 6-4 win in what turned out to be Chris Tai's first WHL win in just his second start of the season. Russ Maxwell and Jaimen Yakubowski have 3 goals vs. PA this year.

Saturday, February 9th "" Hurricanes at Saskatoon

The Hurricanes will look to spoil the party Saturday night as the Saskatoon Blades celebrate a milestone. 25 years ago to the day they opened the doors (to then Saskatchewan Place) and on Saturday they'll celebrate their 25 years at (now CUC) when they host the Canes. The Blades lead the season series 2-1 with the lone Hurricanes win coming on November 3rd when the Hurricanes skated to a 5-4 win at the ENMAX Centre.

Milestone Watch:

-Russ Maxwell: 5 points shy of 100 for his career; 10 games shy of 200 for his career Graham Hood: 4 games shy of 300 for his career. Ty Rimmer: on pace to break the single season saves record by a Canes Goalie (Jeff Ferguson, 1837 in 1987-1988), he's 233 away.

News and Notes:

Central Scouting Says (Mid-Season Report): The NHL's Central Scouting bureau released their mid-season draft rankings and 3 Hurricanes were ranked. Jamal Watson is listed at 182, Axel Blomqvist at 185 and despite limited viewing as he missed the whole first half of the season recovering from a heart condition, Adam Henry is 213th.

Trade winds (WHL Deadline): The Canes made two trades ahead of the January 10th WHL trade deadline. In their first deal they shipped former 1st round draft pick Jay Merkley to Swift Current for LW Josh Derko and a 3rd rounder in 2014. They followed that with a trade for Defenceman Mike Simpson from Kootenay for a 5th round pick in 2013. (Derko will wear #28, Simpson #3) The Hurricanes also reassigned defenceman Connor Sutton to the Okotoks Oilers of the AJHL.

Recognition: Jaimen Yakubowski became the first Hurricane to be named WHL Player of the Week (twice.) For the week of Nov. 26th "" Dec. 2nd, Yakubowski had 8 points (5G, 3A) in 4 games; the following week (Dec. 3rd "" 9th) he recorded 9 points (6G, 3A) in 3 games to be named POW. At this same time, Yakubowski was also named the CHL's Player of the Week for the week ending December 9th.

Back from U17's: Canes Rookie Forward Reid Duke (Team Pacific) and Ryan Pilon (Team West) rejoined the team on January 6th after competing at the World Under-17 Challenge. Canes prospect Kolten Olynek joined Pilon on Team West and returned to the Saskatoon Contacts of the SMAAAHL. Team West finished 9th while Team Pacific claimed 5th.

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Monday, February 11th 8:30 "" 10am "" School Visit at Mike Mountain Horse School. Some of the Hurricanes players will be speaking to approximately 160 kids in Grades 4 and 5 as part of their Positive Role Model program. The players will also get a chance to play a game of floor hockey with the kids and take time out for an autograph session as well.

Friday, February 15th 6:00pm "" It's the 8th Annual Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction with Special Guest Curtis "Cujo" Joseph. Tickets are available $600 for a corporate table, $300 for ½ a table and Individual Tickets are $100 each.

February 17th 2:30pm "" ATB Financial Skills Competition. Another treat during Family Weekend, the players will be split in to two teams and go head to head in a competition featuring events like Hardest Shot, Accuracy and Fastest Skater. Doors open at 2:00pm, the event is FREE however; food donations will be accepted for the Lethbridge Food Bank.

February 20th "" 6:00pm (Pincher Creek, AB) "" The Lethbridge Hurricanes will take part in their 2nd ENMAX Pond Hockey Clinic, this time in Pincher Creek. The players will assist Hockey Alberta officials through a variety of drills and then play a game of pond hockey before wrapping up with an autograph session with the Atom and Novice aged kids.

Check out the Lethbridge Hurricanes Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2013


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