Canes begin a massive weekend

By Lethbridge Herald on March 14, 2024.

Herald file photo Lethbridge HurricanesÕ Noah Chadwick sends Tyson Galloway of the Calgary Hitmen flying in front of Canes' Logan McCutcheon during Western Hockey League action earlier this season at the Enmax Centre.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are starting their biggest weekend of the season tonight in an attempt to get closer to solidifying their spot in the playoffs.

The Canes host Red Deer tonight, turn around and play at Red Deer tomorrow and end the weekend at Calgary on Sunday afternoon.

“I think just getting back to the way we play without the puck,” said Ryan Aasman, Hurricanes assistant coach.

“I think we got to be at the net more and then we got to win our net front battles, we got to be a little bit more discipline with our ‘D’ (defensive) zone coverage, you know,  quicker to kill plays, and protect the house and continue to work above pucks and be disciplined. Going into this game (Wednesday night), we were really good at staying out of the box and we learned that we have to stay out of  the box … and I think that’ll be very important moving forward and obviously the rush game, to and for, will be a big impact on the weekend.”

Aasman said a little bit of the responsibility falls on the guys and how they prepare.

“We got to be mentally ready to go and they got to do their thing to show up and execute and take pride in execution and I think that’ll be the big factors,” said Aasman.

The weekend will have huge implications in the playoff battle for the Canes who are tied with Prince Albert going in points with 65 but sit in eighth because of a tie breaker and are only two points back of Brandon for sixth and the Calgary Hitmen sit five points back in ninth heading into Friday action.

“You look at the teams that are around you, it’s a really, really strong conference,” said Aasman.

“Even the teams below us are nibbling at us and we’re trying to hold down our ground but we’re always playing a good opponent every night. So you’re already in (a) playoff battle and that’s good for our group to get ready for it and earn that spot.”

Noah Chadwick said it’s tight right now and that’s the reality.

“We’re aware of it and it’s not a worry or anything,” said Chadwick.

“ It’s not a distraction. I think we just again have to stick with our process, and keep working hard as a group and I think the results will take care of themselves.”

With the playoff implications this weekend, Brayden Edwards said it’s huge.

“There’s a little bit of pressure on us to get some wins here but yeah we’re ready for it,” said Edwards.

“We know we need to get wins and we’re going to show our best in the next couple of games here.”