Snakebitten Canes look to light the lamp

By Dale Woodard on November 5, 2021.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are looking to get back into the win column.

They’re also looking to get to the back of the net, which will no doubt help them get back to the win column.

After back-to-back 7-0 losses to the Winnipeg Ice Saturday and the Edmonton Oil Kings Tuesday, the 5-5-0-0 Canes return to the Enmax Centre with the objective of giving the home crowd a few lamp lighters to cheer about as they welcome Lethbridge product Carl Tetachuk and the Moose Jaw Warriors to town in Western Hockey League play tonight at 7 p.m.

Though the Canes consecutive shutout losses have come at the hands of the Canadian Hockey League number one-ranked Ice and the third-ranked Oil King, Hurricanes co-captain Jett Jones noted the need to simply bear down when those scoring chances present themselves.

“Both games we had chances, we just have to bear down in front of the net and we have to tighten up defensively,” said Jones, who has two goals in 10 games this season. “Both games we kind of let our goalies hang out to dry a bit. We have to be better there and a good defence will lead to more offensive chances.

“Then we just have to get gritty around the net and bang in a few greasy ones. Just simplify your game and work harder and harder every day and it’ll pay off.”

In both shutout losses, Hurricanes starting goaltender Bryan Thomson was pulled in the second period for backup Jared Picklyk.

Jones said it’s never a good feeling to see your goaltender get the hook.

“We gave up lots of chances, lots of Grade A chances on him. Thommy did make some big saves and it’s our job when he makes some big saves to step up and kind of tilt the ice back to their end and test their goalie out a bit. We have to step up in that way for Thommy and Picklyk.”

In their first 10 games of the season, the Hurricanes have seen the Oil Kings three times, the Ice once, the 8-4-1-0 Red Deer Rebels twice and the 9-2-1-0 Saskatoon Blades – ranked eighth in the country – once.

Jones noted the importance of the front-end loaded schedule.

“It’s good. It made us come together quicker and play more together as a team right off the bat. We had a hard first 10 games and it’s better to get it out of the way. We’re already that much tighter as a group and we’ve seen what other teams are and how much better we have to get to compete with them.”

After tonight’s game, the Hurricanes head out on a five-game swing through Saskatchewan and Manitoba, starting Saturday night in Swift Current against the Broncos.

They’re in Winnipeg Wednesday, Brandon, Thursday, Regina Nov. 13 and Moose Jaw Nov. 14.

The Hurricanes are back home Nov. 19 when the Medicine Hat Tigers pay a visit to the Enmax Centre.

Follow @@DWoodardHerald on Twitter

Comments are closed.