Hurricanes discover road rhythm

By Lethbridge Herald on November 13, 2024.

Herald FILE photo by IAN MARTENS Medicine Hat Tigers Oasiz Wiesblatt and Lethbridge Hurricanes Brayden Edwards follow the play during WHL action last season in Lethbridge. Edwards thought special teams were good and all lines were rolling on this past road trip.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes found their rhythm on the road this past weekend after going a perfect 3-0 on the trip through Regina, Moose Jaw and Brandon.

“I thought we did a lot of bonding, I think the guys came together as a group and then obviously found ways to have some on-ice success in different ways ,” said Ryan Aasman, Hurricanes assistant coach.

“We had a good third period versus Moose Jaw (five goals in that period in a 7-3 win) that kind of fed into the rest of our trip. And then I think the game versus Brandon, … that had a good crowd on Remembrance Day, was a really good battle and we played really good. It was probably our most complete game up to this point.”

The leaders helped the team rebound in the third period after a sub-par second period in Moose Jaw, through the ups and downs in Regina, before the team had a complete game in Brandon.

“I think what we saw from our group was a lot more leadership and character from a lot of our guys and as a team … we took a step,” said Aasman.

Aasman agreed it gave the team a spark needed on the road after beginning the season 1-4 away from VisitLethbridge.com Arena. 

“So (I) was happy for our guys to kind of get over that mental hop and now push forward because (if) you look forward to our month, … we have a lot of road games,” said Aasman.

Miguel Marques said the compete and the readiness to keep going is what he noticed picked up on the trip.

“I thought our special teams were good, I thought all four lines (were) really rolling, we were able to play everyone and I thought that was a big help,” said Brayden Edwards.

Edwards thought the offence clicked and the defence were really  solid.

“We just stuck to our game,” said Edwards.

“I think we’ve been a pretty prepared team for all these games.”

 A side note to the trip was that rookie back-up goalie Koen Cleaver got his first WHL shutout in a 3-0 win over Brandon on Monday.

“Another start from him where he finds himself ready after not starting for a few games,” said Aasman.

The Canes host the Victoria Royals on Saturday night at 6 p.m. before heading to the U.S. Division for three games next week.