Swetlikoff feeling right at home with Hurricanes
By Lethbridge Herald on February 14, 2023.
Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD
Lethbridge Hurricanes Blake Swetlikoff battles for a loose puck with Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Dru Krebs during a game at the Enmax Centre on Feb. 10, 2023.By Justin Seward
Lethbridge Herald
Since arriving in trade from the Spokane Chiefs last month, Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Blake Swetlikoff has fit in seamlessly with his new club.
Swetlikoff had a nice point streak going with five of six games where he banked seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) and 14 of 19 games with a 21 points(seven goals, 14 assists) prior to the home-home with the Medicine Hat Tigers last weekend where he went pointless.
“I’m enjoying coming into a new club and like you said, kind of finding my role and my spot and fitting in,” said Swetlikoff.
“So I mean I’ve been really happy with it.”
Swetlikoff said right off the start, it’s weird, it’s mixed emotions, but now it’s starting to feel just like more of a normal routine, on the transition to Lethbridge.
“I’m kind of settled in now with the group and I’m starting to understand the schedule and how the daily things go. So yeah, (I) seem to be fitting in OK.”
Swetlikoff is excited to a part of this Hurricanes team that is battling to solidify its playoff positioning in the standings.
“In times like this, call it crunch time, call it whatever it you want, but this is where games are always important,” said the Regina product.
“But now it just seems like a lot more meanings behind some of the games and there’s only so many left and at the start of the season, you’re (like),oh you’ve got a whole season. But it’s like there’s (16) games left and every second, every shift matters.”
The Chiefs are sitting near the bottom of the WHL standings, while the Hurricanes are in the mid-pack in the Eastern Conference, and a situation that is relatively new to Swetlikoff.
“We had a bit of a crunch like this last season in Spokane, but we didn’t really realize it until it was kind of closer to the end how close it would be,” said Swetlikoff.
“But yeah this is something I’m excited about and ready to learn and adapt to and however it may come.”
Swetlikoff is looking forward to the intensity of the hockey down the stretch.
“I’m excited about it picking up and becoming like a playoff atmosphere. You know just as the season winds down; I think that’ll be really fun to play in,” he said.
Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio thinks Swetlikoff has been a great fit for the team.
“You know, he’s a guy that’s filled the void for us and taking over that second line centre spot and he has done a great job,” said Kisio.
“He’s reliable, he’s good on our powerplay, good on our penalty kill and adds experience to our line up.”
Kisio said he just plays a solid game.
“He plays both ends of the ice and he’s physical, and he engages and he’s a real good kid. As good as he is on the ice, he’s just as good off the ice.”
Cole Shepard loves playing with Swetlikoff.
“Not only that, but off the ice he’s been a great guy, (and) leads by example and yeah we’re super lucky to have him,” said Shepard.
The Hurricanes will look to bet back in the win column tonight as they host the Calgary Hitmen.
25-24
What a poorly written article. Sounds like a 10-year-old wrote it.