DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: October 13, 2019 Lethbridge Hurricanes 3-4-0-1 @ Regina Pats 1-8-0-0 4:00PM (MDT)
In a battle of two struggling teams, the Lethbridge Hurricanes travel east to visit the Regina Pats. Lethbridge has had an up and down start to their season.
Alternating wins and losses to start their season, the Hurricanes haven’t been able to string two wins together. They have only lost two games in a row once thanks to last nights loss in Saskatoon. Lethbridge has been very effective on the penalty kill on the road this season. The Hurricanes have allowed only one goal on 16 chances early on. Regina has had a miserable start to their year. Winning only their opening game of the season versus the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The Pats are currently riding an eight game loosing streak coming into this game. In those eight losses, Regina has been outscored 39 to 14. The Pats power play hasn’t helped in those games scoring only twice in 30 opportunities this season.
In the last eight meetings between the two teams both have collected four wins each. Lethbridge is without three out of four top scorers from last year as Jake Leschyshyn, Jordy Bellerive and Nick Henry all graduated from the Hurricanes.
However, back for another season with Lethbridge, is Buffalo Sabres seventh overall selection from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, forward Dylan Cozens. Cozens, attended his first NHL training camp with the Sabres this fall. The 6-foot-3 centre, posted 84 points (34G-50A) in 68 games last season with the Hurricanes. In six games this season, Cozens has ten points including six goals, which has him in the top ten in league scoring.
Lethbridge has leaned on Calen Addison on defence to produce more this season. Addison, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, has produced identical 65 point campaigns the last two seasons with the Hurricanes. So far this season, Addison has five points in seven games.
A new face to the Hurricanes roster this season is forward Dino Kambeitz. Along with a fourth round pick in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft, Kambeitz was acquired from the Victoria Royals in exchange for 18-year-old defenseman Nolan Jones. Last season with the Royals, Kambeitz appeared in 67 regular season games, registering 25 points. In eight games with the Hurricanes this season, Kambeitz has registered five points, including two goals.
In the Pats struggles early on, one bright spot has been the play of overage forward, Austin Pratt. Pratt was named the 79th captain in Pats franchise history earlier this season. The 20- year-old is in his fifth season in the Western Hockey League and third as a member of the Pats. Pratt has appeared in 254 games in his career, scoring 56 goals and 117 points. He set career highs last year with the Pats, scoring 25 goals and 51 points to lead the team in scoring. Pratt currently leads the team in scoring with eight points.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
The Pats acquired 18-year-old goaltender Danton Belluk from the Everett Silvertips during the season. In exchange, the Pats sent a conditional eighth round pick in 2021 to the Silvertips. Prior to this move the Pats traded 19-year-old goaltender Dean McNabb to the Winnipeg ICE in exchange for a 2021 seventh round WHL Bantam Draft pick. McNabb was acquired by the Pats ahead of the 2018-19 season from the Victoria Royals.
In a move this week to shake things up, the Pats acquired overage defenceman Zach Wytinck from the Brandon Wheat Kings. In exchange the Pats sent a fifth-round pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft. Wytinck is playing in his fourth season in the WHL, he has appeared in 169 games, scoring 10 goals and 60 assists for 70 points, all with the Wheat Kings. Wytinck put up a career high five goals and 43 points in 65 games last year in Brandon.
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 Tetachuck has played in just three games so far posting a 2.62GAA and a .915SAV%
• Max Paddock (Regina)-Paddock has struggled in his fourth season in the WHL. In six appearances this season, Paddock has just one win and has a 3.86 GAA and .875 SAV%. Last season he posted 11 wins in 47 appearances including two shut-outs.
Also in action:
Portland Winterhawks @Edmonton Oil Kings
-The Winterhawks are hoping to end their six-game Central Division swing with a 3-3 record.
