Hurricanes looking to get physical this weekend

By Dale Woodard on April 15, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDsports@lethbridgeherald.com

It worked for Olivia Newton John and lately it’s been the song sung by the Lethbridge Hurricanes as well.

As the Hurricanes get ready for a quick turnaround with the Central Division-leading Edmonton Oil Kings on the slate in Western Hockey League play tonight at 7 p.m. at the Enmax Centre, Getting Physical will have to be the bruising beat as the Canes look to avenge 7-1 and 7-2 season-opening losses to Edmonton back on Feb. 26 and 27.

“I think at the start season we were a little soft on them, (but) we were also a very young team with guys playing their first games,” said second-year forward Ty Nash. “They have a lot of skill, so we just have to be physical like we were against Red Deer and Medicine Hat, which were some of our best games of the season. I feel like some of the success we were getting at the start of the season was by being physical. I think guys stepping up and being physical has really given the boys some confidence.”

They’ll put that confidence to work tonight against the 12-1-0-0 Oil Kings.

“After the first week we’ve been waiting to play these guys,” said Nash. “We’re really excited. They’re a great team, but we’re also a great team. So I think it’s going to be a great game.”

Hurricanes assistant captain Justin Hall capped off last weekend’s three-game series against the Red Deer Rebels with a five point performance Monday night at the Enmax Centre.

Those totals give him a team leading 11 goals and 21 points in 14 games.

A lot of time has passed since the Hurricanes and Oil Kings locked horns, said Hall.

“We’ve had a lot more games and more time to get ready. Those first two games were a lot of guys’ first games in the league, so that’s pretty tough. They’re a good team, but I think we’ll be ready for them. We’re coming off a three-game win streak so we’re pretty hot right now. I think we’ll be good.

“We have a solid level of confidence right now. We’re not cocky or anything, but we know we can play with them.”

Playing alongside Logan Barlage and Liam Kindree, Hall and his linemates enjoyed a highly offensive weekend against the Rebels, including Monday night’s high-scoring 8-5 decision.

“It’s been great, I’ve found some good chemistry with my linemates, Bar and Kindo,” said Hall.

“They’ve been helping me and a lot of pucks seem like they’ve been going in easier right now. It’s really good and I hope to keep it up.”

Nash provided the empty-net goal in Monday’s 8-5 win.

It was his first of the season and for the stats junkies, Nash’s second career home goal.

“I’ve gotten a lot of chances this season,” said Nash.

“I feel like I’ve been playing pretty good, but the pucks just haven’t been going in for me. So when Kis (Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio), put me out in the last minute I was hoping to get one. Now that I’ve got one the gates are open, so I hope that can continue.”

Like every team across the WHL, it’s been a unique season for Nash and the Hurricanes with the COVID pandemic continually delaying the start of the season and ultimately setting up a 24-game sprint against only divisional opponents.

Still, you won’t hear Nash complain about it.

“It’s been awesome, the setup is great,” said the 17-year-old American who hails from Scottsdale, Arizona.

“With all the time at the rink I’ve been able to develop and further my game a little bit. I love hockey, so I love being around the rink. So this setup is perfect for me. I’m just glad to be around to boys all the time and playing hockey.”

They’ll get the chance to do that this weekend with the Oil Kings tonight before heading to Edmonton for the second game Saturday night, wrapping up the weekend Sunday at 7 p.m. back at the Enmax Centre.

“Obviously, guys like Dino (Kambeitz), (Alex) Cotton, Barlage and Hallsie really help our young guys and lead them through this first year, which is a weird year,” said Nash.

“Our message is to be physical and play hard on their top guys. We just have to be hard on (Dylan) Guenther and guys like (Jake) Neighbours and Matthew Robertson.”

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