Overview:
The Lethbridge Hurricanes come into this weekend sitting last in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. Through 45 games, Lethbridge has won 16 games and holds a record of 16-28-0-1. The Hurricanes are 4-6-0-0 in their last 10 games and are 13 points back of the Brandon Wheat Kings for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Who’s Up Front:
19-year-old forward Brody Sutter was the best Hurricane on the ice for the large majority of last night’s contest. Sutter scored a power play goal and used his size and skill to make life very difficult for the opposing team. Sutter has 18 goals this season and leads the Hurricanes with 37 points in 41 games.
Who’s on D:
The Lethbridge Hurricanes got some quality minutes last night from 92-born defenceman Daniel Johnston. Johnston has 16 points through 29 games this season. He skates well, moves the puck swiftly and saw a lot of ice-time against the top forwards of the Cougars.
Who’s in Goal:
It wasn’t an easy night for 20-year-old goaltender Damien Ketlo. Ketlo was pulled after allowing five goals on 25 shots faced in last night’s game. Granted Ketlo didn’t have much of a chance on most of the goals, but Liam Liston came in and was solid the rest of the way stopping 14 of the 15 pucks he faced.
X-Factor:
If the Hurricanes want to split this weekend’s set in Prince George they’ll need to be better disciplined in tonight’s game. The Hurricanes surrendered 10 power plays against while the Cougars only surrendered five.
Overview:
The Prince George Cougars come into tonight’s game trailing the Victoria Royals by one point in the WHL’s Western Conference. The Cougars are 3-7-0-0 in their last 10 games and are 14-26-0-2 on the year.
Who’s Up Front:
It was a breakout game offensively for the trio of Daulton Siwak, Alex Forsberg and Troy Bourke. Those three combined for six points last night, and really looked like they were starting to gel together. If these three can continue to produce like they did last night, the Cougars will give themselves a great chance to win their second straight on home ice.
Who’s on D:
Cody Carlson showed last night what he was all about. Not only was he responsible defensively, but Carlson contributed a goal and two assists. He heads into tonight’s game ranked 14th in the WHL for scoring amongst defencemen with 29 points in 42 games.
Who’s in Goal:
Drew Owsley was once again brilliant for the Prince George Cougars as he made 49 saves on the 52 shots he faced. Owsley gives the Cougars a chance to win on a nightly basis, and there is a real belief that if the Cougars get into the playoffs, Owsley has the ability to steal games. Whether Owsley goes tonight has not yet been officially decided, but either Owsley or Devon Fordyce can expect a hungry Lethbridge team to show up ready tonight.
X-Factor:
The Cougars were able to score twice on the power play and perhaps even more importantly were able to use the power play as a momentum changer in the first period. Jesse Forsberg has found a new niche for himself on the man-advantage and was able to score his first of the season on a tip-in last night. If the Cougars can keep this positive momentum going on the power play, it bodes very well for them as they get set for an Alberta road-trip next week.
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