We head into the final night of action for the month of November. There are 41 days until the trade deadline and the Regina Pats and Lethbridge Hurricanes made a blockbuster trade yesterday, so we will preview the Hurricanes taking on the Broncos from Lethbridge, Alberta.
DUBNetwork Game of the Night
Swift Current Broncos (4-19-1-1) at Lethbridge Hurricanes (11-8-3-2)
It is expected to be the first time the Hurricanes will ice their new duo, freshly added from the Regina Pats. Walking into the game, Nick Henry and Jake Leschyshyn have become the number one and two scorers on an already impressive offensive unit. The Hurricanes added 31 goals of fire power to their roster while seeing just 17 depart.
On a per game basis. Swift Current goaltender, Joel Hofer has seen more pucks than any netminder in the WHL this season. It would not be surprising to see the Hurricanes generate a lot of scoring chances in tonight’s tilt, and Hofer will need to stand tall to give the last place Broncos any chance of staying in this game.
Fans of the Lethbridge Hurricanes would like to see more out of their goaltending duo, Reece Klassen has seen the lions share of the time between the pipes but has not been what the Hurricanes faithful have been used to. Klassen has a 3.65 goals against average, which is 21st among goalies with 10 or more games played in. His save percentage also leaves something to be desired at .888. Fortunately for him, the Hurricanes do score at an equal pace to the amount of goals scored against them. Tonight might see the start go to Carl Tetachuk, the Hurricanes are in the first game of a three games in three nights. Tetachuk does have better numbers overall but has only seen about a third of the action Klassen has.
The Broncos on the other hand have scored less than two goals per game while allowing more than four. It is the number one reason they sit in the basement of the Western Hockey League with 10 points on 25 games. The Medicine Hat Tigers are 17 points clear of them for the final playoff birth in the Eastern Conference.
Will the Hurricanes new additions gel quickly with an easier opponent, or will the Broncos take down another heavy hitter? Only time will tell.
Don’t forget it is Teddy Bear Toss night at the Enmax Centre. When the Hurricanes score, throw those teddy bears!
Between the Pipes
Carl Tetachuk 6GP (3-3-0-0, 3.28 .909) Won his last two starts, both on the road.
Joel Hofer 18GP (2-14-1-1 4.11 .900) Last win came on November 2nd against the Hurricanes
Leading scorers
Lethbridge: Nick Henry 15G-25A – 40PTS
Swift Current: Max Patterson 7G-11A – 18PTS
Other games on the WHL Schedule tonight:
Regina Pats @ Brandon Wheat Kings
12 points separate these teams as they both look to end November on a high note. The Pats will debut their new players, Ty Kolle and Jadon Joseph. Brandon won the only meeting between these two teams on October 6th, 7-3.
Moose Jaw Warriors @ Edmonton Oil Kings
These two teams meet for the second time in seven days. Moose Jaw won the game in overtime, it was the only meeting of the two teams so far this season. Trey Fix-Wolansky’s 55 points are good for second in the WHL scoring race behind Brett Leason.
Calgary Hitmen @ Red Deer Rebels
Red Deer has won all four of these teams matchups by a combined five goals. Only one game required overtime. Calgary is four points behind Medicine Hat for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot while Red Deer holds a slim one point lead on the Edmonton Oil Kings for the Central Division crown.
Saskatoon Blades @ Kamloops Blazers
The only meeting between these teams this season, will see the Blades looking to stay ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors who trail them by just four points for second in the East Division. The Kamloops Blazers want to keep pace with the other teams in its division, they sit just four points back of second place Victoria.
Kelowna Rockets @ Tri-City Americans
The Americans have had one of the lightest schedules in the WHL this season, with just 23 games played. Their 28 points is good for fourth in the US division. The teams have split their season series so far with each team earning a one goal victory.
Kootenay Ice @ Seattle Thunderbirds
The two teams are in the sweepstakes for the first overall draft pick currently. Kootenay is just eight points clear of the Swift Current Broncos while Seattle is nine. Neither team can seem to gain any traction, the Ice are 0-5-1-0 in their last six games and 1-8-1-0 over their last 10. The Thunderbirds are 0-3-0-0 in their last three games while sharing the same 1-8-1-0 record over their last 10.
Spokane Chiefs @ Everett Silvertips
These are the top two teams in the US division. Everett holds a 10 point cushion over Spokane. Each team has won a game in their season series, the Chiefs required overtime to take out the Silvertips back on November 18th.
