DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: November 1, 2019 Lethbridge Hurricanes 9-4-0-3 @Winnipeg ICE 7-5-1-0 7:30PM (CDT)
In a rematch from just two nights ago the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Winnipeg Ice are set to do battle once again in Winnipeg. On Wednesday night the ICE prevailed with a 4-3 shoot-out victory. Lethbridge missed both of their shots in the shoot-out while Michal Teply and Isaac Johnson scored for the Ice. Calen Addison led the way for the Hurricanes offensively Wednesday night, with a goal and an assist. While Austin Schellenberg replied for the Ice with a goal and assist of his own. This was the first meeting of the year between the former Central Division rivals.
Prior to this game Lethbridge absolutely dominated the match ups between the two teams, winning 11 of 14 games. Last year, Lethbridge posted a 6-0-0-0 record against the Ice while they were still in Kootenay. The Hurricanes enter the game having earned points in eight straight games going 6-0-0-2. First year import Oliver Okuliar has not disappointed in his first season in the WHL. Without three of their top scorers from a year ago the Hurricanes selected Okuliar in the first round of the CHL import draft. Okuliar, from Trencin, Slovakia, has 17 points, including nine goals in the Hurricanes’ 16 games played.
On defence, it has been the play of second year defenceman Alex Cotton that has stepped up his play and produced so far for the Hurricanes this year. Cotton has appeared in 16 games this season and has put up 13 points in those games to lead the Hurricanes defence. The 13 points has already set a new career highs for Cotton as he put up 11 points in 54 games in his rookie season with the Hurricanes last year.
Third year defenceman Koletrane Wilson has been a nice surprise this season for the Hurricanes. After putting up 19 points all of last season, Wilson has already posted 12 points in 15 games including two goals. Wilson didn’t register a goal all of last year. Of course you can’t talk about the Hurricanes without talking about Buffalo Sabres seventh overall pick from last summer’s NHL Entry Draft, forward Dylan Cozens. Cozens has come back to the Hurricanes and has shown why he was selected in the top ten of the draft. With ten goals and eight assists he leads the Hurricanes in scoring after appearing in 14 games. Cozens along with teammate Addison will represent the WHL at the upcoming CIBC Canada Russia Series.
This will be the second year in-a-row for both players playing for team WHL in the series. Without their captain, Winnipeg has turned to rookie forward Michal Teply for offence. Teply, a 2019 first round import draft selection from the Czech Republic, has four goals and eight assists in 13 games this season. Teply was not only drafted in the WHL this past offseason he was also selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round of the NHL draft.
Carson Lambos, Winnipeg’s second leading scorer and leading all Ice defenceman in scoring, has 10 points in 12 games this season. Drafted second overall in 2018, Lambos only skated in five games last year but he did manage to score his first career goal. Owen Pederson and Connor McClennon also have 10 points on the year for the ICE. Both forwards were taken in the 2017 bantam draft and are skating in their second full seasons in the WHL; they have identical four goals and six assists this season so far.
Forward Matthew Savoie from St. Albert, Alberta was selected first overall by the Ice in last year’s bantam draft. Savoie played in five games this season and will represent Canada at the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Along with teammate Lambos who will also skate in the tournament that will take place from November 2-9 in Medicine Hat, AB and Swift Current, SK. Off the ice, Winnipeg made a move this week, as on Monday they traded the rights to forward, Justin Svenson to the Swift Current Broncos for a 2021, conditional 9th Round draft pick. Last year’s captain Peyton Krebs continues to recover and rehab from his partially torn achilles injury he suffered in the summer. Krebs remains with the Vegas Golden Knights who selected Krebs 17th overall in the 2019 Draft. Last season Krebs posted 68 points in 64 games to lead the Ice in scoring.
Expected in goal:
• Carl Tetachuk (Lethbridge) – Playing in his second season, Tetachuk is coming off an impressive rookie season. Finishing last season with 24 wins in 37 appearances, including two shut outs. So far this season Tetachuk has played in nine games so far winning four of those games, including one by shut-out. In those nine game Tetachuk has posted a 2.17GAA and a .929SAV%.
• Jesse Makaj (Winnipeg) – Since returning to health this season, Makaj has been in six games for the ICE, posting a 3.072 GAA and .898 save percentage. Last time eh played Lethbridge, he stopped 31-of-34 shots in the ICE win.
Also in action:
Swift Current Broncos @Brandon Wheat Kings 7:30pm CDT
–Joona Kiviniemi and the Broncos try to solve Ethan Kruger and the Wheat Kings. Kiviniemi has a team-high 10 points.
Saskatoon Blades @Edmonton Oil Kings 7pm MDT
-Overage forward Riley McKay looks to extend his point streak to nice games for the Blades.
Red Deer Rebels @Moose Jaw Warriors 7pm MDT
-Heart-breaking loss to Seattle last time out for Red Deer. They now head out and try to shut down Brayden Tracey and the Warriors.
Regina Pats @Prince Albert Raiders 7pm MDT
–Boston Bilous has been solid for the Raiders so far this season. He takes his 1.95 GAA up against the Pats, who he has already beaten twice.
Prince George Cougars @Kelowna Rockets 7:05pm PDT
-Possible debut for new Rockets forward Kobe Mohr, after Kyle Topping suffered an apparent leg injury earlier this week.
Seattle Thunderbirds @Tri-City Americans 7:05pm PDT
-The Americans are 2-0 so far this season against the Thundebrirds. After taking on each other so many times, they do not play again until 12/13.
Portland Winterhawks @Everett Silvertips 7:35pm PDT
-It’s a battle for first place in the U.S. Division as the Winterhawks head to Everett and try to overtake the Silvertips.
