Hurricanes win key game in Kitchener

from: http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

TEAM EFFORT BEATS DUTCHMEN

The Guelph Hurricanes proved that old adage last night in Kitchener…”Play as a team. Win as a team.” Already missing 2 of their top defensemen Cayle Creen(out for the season-knee injury) and Zach Dion (suspension) the Canes lost Daniel Cotroneo when he left the game in the 1st period. The Canes eventhough they were outshooting the Dutchmen fell behind 2-0 before a Wade Pfeffer(2) point shot found the net to cut the lead in half.

In the break Coach MacEachern and his associates reminded the team of the game plan and how important this game was. They responded by scoring the next 4 goals. The line of Mike Iacocca, Martin Kudla and Jake Weidner continued to shine offensively. Iaccoca(18), Weidner(8) and Kudla(17 – empty net) all scored. Canes leading scoreer Tyson Theaker added his 18th while Blair Goss, Cam Jude, Iacocca, Kudla, Connor Ste. Marie and Nic MacEachern(2) contributed assists.

After backing up Brandon Foote on the Storm’s northern trip Drew Pegrum returned to shut down the Dutchmen after the 1st period to record the win. Pegrum made his best save of the night late in the 3rd with the score 3-2 and the Dutchmen pressing. Theaker scored right after that to put the game away. In all he stopped 26 shots many of the difficult variety.

Final Score Guelph 5, Kitchener 2

The Hurricanes last home game of the regular season is Thursday, February 25 at the Sleeman Centre when the Cambridge WinterHawks are the visitors. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

The Play-offs will either Wednesday(Waterloo) or Thursday(Brantford) depending on the final standings.

Third period goals sink Canes

from http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

CULLITONS STAGE COMEBACK

The Guelph Hurricanes still high after upsetting the Waterloo Siskins last weekend were fast out of the gate tonight.  Powerplay goals by their leading scorer Tyson Theaker(14) (Mike McFarlane and Mike Iacocca) and Cayle Creen(3)(McFarlane) for a 2-0 lead. Everything was working well and the boys looked set for a second straight win.

With 19 seconds left in the 1st period, a lucky bounce, a Culliton forward in the right place and bang they score and its 2-1. The Cullitons leave the ice on a high and the Canes go to the room wondering what just happened. 

Wade Pfeffer blocks a Kyle Roes shot

It was Stratford’s turn to start fast in the second. Goalie Chris McDougall made some good saves before Tyson Avery beat him to tie up the game. The rest of the period featured some spirited play by both teams but no real scoring chances.

The 3rd period started slow but the Cullitons Brad McClure did his Sydney Crosby impression and scored 2 beauty goals in the space of 12 seconds. Guelph called a timeout to talk it over and settle everyone down. Less then a minute later the Cullitons scored again to put the game out of reach. Stratford had scored 3 goals in the space of one minute and four seconds to dash the hopes of a Hurricane 2 game win streak.

Next game for the Canes is next Saturday, January 30 when they face the red hot Elmira Sugar Kings at Victoria Road. Game time is 7:30.

Goalie scores for Hurricanes in 4-1 Victory over Waterloo

from http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

PEGRUM LEADS CANES to 4-1 WIN

When GM Matt Mullin insisted that goalie Drew Pegrum be included in the huge deal that sent quality players Dan Mohle and Ken Rolfe to Listowel. He knew he was getting a quality goalie for the future. He didn’t know he was also getting a potential goal scorer.

 

Pegrum is 10th goalie in Junior hockey history to score a goal

Sunday afternoon in Waterloo with the Siskins goalie on the bench for an extra attacker Pegrum gathered in the puck and shot it the length of the ice into the open net securing a 4-1 victory over the leagues 2nd place team.

The game started out on a sour note when a routine shoot in by a Siskin defender deflected off a Hurricane’s skate and found the corner of the net behind Pegrum. If it rattled him you’d never know because he responded by stopping the next 42 shots the Siskins fired at him.

Waterloo known for their tough disciplined play had 16 shots on Pegrum in the first 8 minutes of the game. He was up to the task. Using a lightning fast glove and cat like moves he made save after save some of the incredible variety keeping the Canes in the game. 

Guelph had their oportunities as well and finally beat goalie Will Sibley on a Cayle Creen pointshot that Jake Weidner(5th) deflected into the net.

Weidner(6th)scored again in the second period with assists from Martin Kudla and Conner Ste Marie.

Guelph was awarded a penalty shot in the 3rd. Taylor Lukasik(4th) beat Sibley with a nice move to give Guelph a 3-1 lead.

The Canes used a new found energy and shut down the high flying Siskins with a stingy defense and great forechecking. Then came Pegrum’s heroics to put the final score at 4-1.

This was a total team effort and the Canes were full marks for this victory. This was also a strong moral victory as the Siskins could be the Canes first round opponent. With every player involved in the play for the entire game the Canes have put 3 solid games together as they get ready for the upcoming play-offs. What a great time to be playing your best hockey.

The Canes get a schedule break for the next 3 weeks as they play 3 games all at home.

All Saturdays at the Victoria Road Arena. Next Saturday the hot Stratford Cullitons visit Victoria Road. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Former Dominator backstops Sugar Kings to 2-1 win over Hurricanes

from http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

GORECKI STOPS FORMER TEAM

One of Gorecki's 43 saves

Former Guelph Dominator goalie Brendan Gorecki came back to haunt his previous teammates by stopping 43 shots to put up a 2-1 win for his new team the Elmira Sugar Kings.

Not to be outdone Hurricanes goalie Chris McDougall had an awesome game as well keeping the Canes close with a number of great saves.

The fans were treated to another exciting fast paced game. The Canes were all over the Kings in the 3rd period and came close on a number of attempts hitting a post, a crossbar and save after save by Gorecki. In all he faced 23 shots in the 3rd. The Canes thought they had scored twice only to have the net come off on the 1st attempt and with 0.4 seconds left. The refs met, discussed and finally decided the goal didn’t count sending the hometown faithful away disappointed but encouraged by the play of the young Hurricane squad.

Captain Mike MacFarland scored his 6th of the season from Tyson Theaker and Cayle Creen.

The Canes travel to Waterloo Sunday for a 1:30 start then host the Stratford Cullitons at the Victoria Road Arena on January 23rd. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Dutchmen spoil Hurricanes party at Guaranteed Win Night

Chris MacDougall braces for the shot

According to the script, the Guelph Hurricanes were to earn their 8th victory of the season with a win over Kitchener. But unfortunately, someone forgot to inform the Dutchmen who defeated the Canes 5-3.

Kitchener jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first 4 minutes of the game.

They stretched that lead to 3-0 by the end of the first period.

The Hurricanes got one back in the second making it 3-1.

Each team exchanged a pair of goals in the 3rd, making it a 5-3 final.

SCORING SUMMARY

Period 1

Kitchener – Josh Mitton (Shane Bainbridge, Mark Scheifele) 3:18 Kitchener – Tanner DeWitt (powerplay) (Mark Scheifele, Shawn Bechtloff) 3:39 Kitchener – Lucas Tucciapone (Josh Mitton, Paul Sergi) 18:56

Period 2

Guelph – Ken Rolph (shorthanded) (Evan Jared, Cayle Creen) 13:36

Period 3

Kitchener – Josh Warner (Brandon Passley, Ryan Clarkson) 0:32 Guelph – Mike McFarlane (Wade Pfeffer, Nic MacEachern) 0:54 Kitchener – Ryan Clarkson (Brandon Passley, Josh Mitton) 5:23 Guelph – Mark Bell (powerplay) (Andrew Van Ooteghem, Connor Ste Marie) 18:24

Not only did the game feature several fights including a tilt where the Hurricanes Nic MacEachern (5-10 178lbs.) took on the Dutchmen’s Alex McCaffrey (6-3 246 lbs.) and held his own.

Trainers from both teams attend to Brant Nicolson

But the game also featured a scary scene where Dutchmen’s defenceman Brant Nicolson bolted out of the penalty box after a loose puck in the Hurricanes end lost an edge and fell ackwardly head first into the boards.

The trainers from both teams were quickly on the scene (which reminded me of the Rangers Ben Fanelli injury a couple of weeks ago).

Based on the fact that he hit his head the trainers and EMS staff were cautious and treated Brant as if he had a spinal injury.

The game was delayed 20 minutes as he was taken to hospital for further tests.

Although the game didn’t turn out as the script maker would have liked it to be, The Hurricanes made good on their promise by giving free tickets to an upcoming game to fans that purchased their tickets at the game.

The next Hurricanes game is Friday Nov. 20th when Guelph travels to Waterloo to take on the Siskins.

Then the following night, Saturday Nov. 21st the Hurricanes host the Stratford Cullitons. Game time is 7:30 pm at the Sleeman Centre.

Home & Home Big for Canes

From http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

 There’s an old saying “Its not how you start but how you finish!”

The Canes hope that saying fits their future as they open a crucial home & home weekend series with the Kitchener Dutchmen. http://www.kitchenerdutchmen.com

Both teams find themselves struggling in the early season. Guelph has a 4 point lead on the Dutchies entering the series. 2 wins for the Canes would put them right back in thick of the race.

Guelph will be relying on the scoring of their big line of Dan Mohle, Tyson Theaker and Ken Rolph. Mohle is in the top 5 scoring in the GOJHL and Theaker and Rolph have been hot lately. More important will be the inspired play of newcomers Martin Kudla and Mike Iaccoca.

On defense the Canes are led by Luca Penzo, Wade Pfeffer, Cayle Creen and Zach Dion.

The goaltending of Chris MacDougall and Trevor McGee will have to step up and continue their improved play.

Game 1 of the home and home is Saturday, October 17. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Fans are reminded to use gate 1 to enter the Sleeman Center. Game 2 goes Sunday, October 18 at the Kitchener Auditorium annex. Game time is 2:30 pm.