Canes reflect on successful road trip

By Lethbridge Herald on January 21, 2025.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Lethbridge Hurricanes Logan Wormald attempts to make a play while being hauled down by Brady Ness of the Moose Jaw Warriors during WHL action earlier this month. Wormald thinks the team has found its chemistry after the road trip.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes got the confidence boost on they needed at this juncture of the season after sweeping their five game road trip and the team reflected on their successes from the games.

“Guys played good when we were down south, we got contributions from everybody and that’s what it takes this time of year,” said Bill Peters, Canes head coach.

“There (is) a lot of hockey in a short period of time. We need all hands on deck.”

Between the team’s transition game being good and their ability to play fast is what Peters liked about on the trip.

“I didn’t think we gave up much and I thought when the games were on the line we dug in and found a way to play our best hockey in the second half of games and the third period of games,” said Peters.

The Canes were able to get a first glimpse of their new acquisitions in Jordan Gustafson, Caden Price and Anthony Wilson on the trip.

“Yeah, positive impact throughout the line-up,” said Peters.

“Obviously with Gus, his play on Saturday was huge and he didn’t play in the back to back because we manage his situation and then Pricer’s a world class player, obviously.  And we’re just getting Willy figured out but he’s going to add a real valuable dimension to our team and can slide up and down the line-up.”

“I think our chemistry’s starting to click,” said Logan Wormald.

“We got our whole roster back basically … and like I said our chemistry’s building with these new guys and it’s been working out well.”

Wormald talked about what the sweep meant in terms of this line up’s capabilities.

“I think the other team should be pretty scared of us,” said Wormald.

“We’ve got a great squad here and yeah I think we’re pushing to get some things done this year.”

Gustafson saw the Canes as being very structured on the trip.

“Bill puts a good system out for us and it works if we all buy into it,” said Gustafson.

“I think right now we’re clicking; we’re all buying into that system.”

For Gustafson, the last couple of games of the trip were his first taste of game action this season for himself and with his new teammates after coming over in a December deal from Seattle and dealing with an injury.

“I was definitely a little bit nervous coming back in (those) first couple (of) games but I feel like I’ve got my step back now,” said Gustafson.

Gustafson scored a hat trick in Saturday’s game against Spokane.

“I think that road trip was good for the team camaraderie off the ice and I think we’re doing a pretty good job of getting it going on the ice,” said Gustafson.

Peters was asked about what they can take from the road trip to implement into their game plan.

“We’ve got to get our game established early and get contributions throughout the line-up,” said Peters.

The Canes play four games in five nights this week.

“We (have) got to manage our energy levels well  and be very mature about our approach this week,” said Peters.

The Canes host Regina tonight, Red Deer on Friday night, Calgary on Saturday night and travel to play Edmonton on Sunday.