Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Hurricanes clinch a spot in the postseason; Byram breaks franchise record; Rebels captain signs ELC

Written by Stephen Hawco on

Hurricanes punch ticket

For the fourth consecutive season, the Lethbridge Hurricanes are heading to the WHL Playoffs. With a 4-1 win over Brandon, not only do they clinch, but they move into a tie for first place in the Central Division with Edmonton. The Hurricanes have made back-to-back appearances to the Eastern Conference Final and currently own a record of 36-18-5-5.

Byram makes history

Vancouver Giants defenceman Bowen Byram set a new franchise record for goals in a season by a defenceman with his 25th of the year in a 5-0 win over Kamloops. The record was previously held by Arizona Coyotes defenceman Kevin Connauton who scored 24 goals in the 2009/10 season. The 2019 NHL prospect is now up to 68 points (25G, 43A) in 63 games this season.

Johnson signs ELC

Red Deer Rebels captain Reese Johnson signed a three-year entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. The undrafted overager is having the best season of his three year WHL career, collecting 45 points (22G, 23A) in 62 games this season, playing alongside fellow Blackhawks prospect Brandon Hagel who also signed as an undrafted free agent earlier this season. In 182 WHL games, Johnson has 92 points (50G, 42A) all spent with Red Deer.

Liwiski suspension announced

As mentioned in the previous Daily Dose, Kelowna Rockets forward Mark Liwiski has been suspended by the WHL for a boarding major against Portland. Today, the WHL announced that the 2001-born will miss three games for the hit, giving him his second suspension of the season. Liwiski had previously been suspended one game for an accumulation of kneeing penalties. The rookie forward has 16 points (10G, 6A) in 58 games this year with the Rockets.

Canes prospect gets first goal

Lethbridge Hurricanes prospect Zack Stringer scored his first WHL goal in their win over Brandon. The 2018 eighth overall pick has appeared in four WHL games this season, recording a goal and two assists. The hometown kid has 41 points (14G, 27A) in 30 games with the Lethbridge Midget AAA Hurricanes of the AMHL.

Bodak plays last games with ICE

Kootenay ICE import defenceman Martin Bodak played his last WHL games this past weekend with him going back home to Slovakia for exams, like previously mentioned a couple of days ago with Vancouver Giants forward Milos Roman. With Kootenay not qualifying for the playoffs, he will not be returning, ending his WHL career. The overager played in two seasons with the ICE after being selected in the second round (63rd overall) in the 2017 CHL Import Draft, appearing in 117 games with 56 points (18G, 38A).

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Calgary’s Carson Focht scored his third hat trick in five games along with an assist in a 6-5 overtime win over Medicine Hat.

2nd Star: Tri-City’s Riley Sawchuk had two goals and an assist in a 6-3 win over Victoria.

3rd Star: Vancouver’s Trent Miner earned the third shutout of the season in a 5-0 win over Kamloops.

Honourable Mentions

Lethbridge’s Jake Leschyshyn had two goals in a 4-1 win over the Wheat Kings….Calgary’s James Malm had two goals and an assist in a win over the Tigers….Vancouver’s Milos Roman had three assists in their win over the Blazers….Tri-City’s Sasha Mutala had a goal and an assist in a win over the Royals….