Canes look for better response against Tigers

By Lethbridge Herald on February 9, 2023.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are set to host the Medicine Hat Tigers for the second of three meetings within a week tonight at the Enmax Centre.

The Canes are coming in on a two-game losing streak after losing to Regina Pats 3-2 last Friday at home and a 4-2 setback to the Tigers on Saturday.

“Well, I think we’ve just got to get back to playing our game a little bit,” said Brent Kisio, Hurricanes head coach.

“You know, two games last weekend, we had chances to win. (We) played a pretty solid game  versus Regina and just ended up on the wrong side of Medicine Hat again. We played a good game. But we got a good lead there and they came back on us and we’ve got to respond better.”

Kisio thinks this a group response and not so much an individual player.

“As a group, we need a little bit more from everybody,” said Kisio.

“We were playing some real good hockey for a long stretch. But all the games are close and when you play close games like that, sometimes you end up on the wrong side. Unfortunately we did last weekend, but I think if just we can bring a little bit more, we’ll be in a good spot.”

Kisio would like to see the team bear down on their chances a bit more this weekend against the Tigers.

“We had chances to go up by two in a lot of those games or three, but it’s just a matter of us bearing down on our opportunities,” said Kisio.

Kisio does not think the Hurricanes playdown to levels of a lesser opponent.

“I think no matter who we play, we respect our opponents,” he said.

“It’s been a lot of close games this year and there’s nobody we take for granted. I don’t think we’ve done that. It’s just we’re playing good hockey teams.”

Kisio said Willie (Tigers head coach Desjardins) has done a great job.

“They’re a well-structured team,” said Kisio.

“They play fast, they transition quick and they have guys that can score. They’re a tough opponent and one’s that fighting for their playoff lives. And I think for us, you know everyone we’re playing is fighting for a playoff spot right now. So they’re intense games.”