Hurricanes beat Sugar Kings in OT

from http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

CANES WIN A NAILBITER 4-3

Excitement was the order of the night as the Guelph Hurricanes and the Elmira Sugar Kings treated a good Hockey Day crowd to a thrill packed game. The Ice Palace was frigid as usual but the action inside was red hot.

Pegrum Glove the Puck to help Grab the Win

It looked like another typical Canes/Sugar Kings duel featuring excellent goaltending by Drew Pegrum and his counterpart former Cane Brendon Gorecki.

Speedy Martin Kudla(13) broke the ice when he broke in on Gorecki and made a nifty move to put the Canes on top 1-0. Brad Kraus tied it up with a laser beam only to have Nic MacEachern(7) do his Sydney Crosby impression to regain the lead 2-1. It stayed that way until captain Mike McFarlane(7) scored a powerplay goal with help from Luca Penzo and Mike Iacocca.

With another 3-1, 3rd period lead it looked like the Canes were headed for another disappointing loss when Elmira scored twice late in the 3rd on goals by Parent and LeBlanc to send the game to overtime.

Mid way through the overtime period defensive wizard Jake Weidner stole the puck at the Canes blueline and sped down the wing. Weidner threaded a perfect pass to Zach Dion(6) in front of the Kings net who finished the play off with a perfect shot to win the game 4-3.

Check out the Hurricanes facebook page http://www.facebook.com/guelphhurricanes and look at over 150 pictures that Richard Elmes took at the game last night.

Next Canes action is Saturday, February 6 at the Victoria Road Arena when they face the Waterloo Siskins. 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.

Hurricanes Guarantee Win Saturday Night

The Guelph Hurricanes (who have lost 5 games in a row) have made a bold announcement by guaranteeing their fans a victory over the Kitchener Dutchmen (who have won their last 4 games) Saturday night at The Sleeman Centre.

 “This team never quits and we are confident we will win Saturday night.” said Co-owner and Team President, Mario Cotroneo.

Alex, Danielle and Jacob cheer on the Hurricanes

 According to the Hurricanes’ Marketing Coordinator, Richard Elmes, “Every fan that purchases a ticket on game night will receive a ticket to another game at The Sleeman Centre if the Hurricanes don’t defeat Kitchener.”

 The Hurricanes currently sit 8^th in the Midwestern conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League with 14 pts. (6-13-2) and the Dutchmen are 7^th with 15 pts. (7-13-1).

 Game time: 7:30 pm at The Sleeman Centre.

Adult tickets are only $8.00, while Seniors and Students (Gd. 9-12) are $6.00 and Children are $2.00.

Hurricanes dominate play, but still lose to Cyclones

From http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

OUR BOYS DESERVED TO WIN

That was the quote General Manager Matt Mullin used after watching his Canes go down 3-2 to the never say quit Listowel Cyclones.

The fast paced game was a thriller with many excellent hits but few penalties. Guelph controlled the game and had many excellent chances to score but bad bounces, goal posts and the fantastic play of Cyclones goalie Drew Pegrum held the Canes off the scoresheet for most of the game.

The Canes went into the 3rd up 2-1 on goals by Cam Jude(3rd) and Ken Rolph(9th) Both goals were set up by Dan Mohle. Other assists went to Connor Ste. Marie and Tyson Theaker. When a team goes into Listowel they know that the Cyclones don’t quit and they seem to be most dangerous in the 3rd. For the second game in a row the Canes watched a couple of bounces go against them in the third and the Cycs as they usually do capitalized and stole a 3-2 win.

Coach MacEachern was obviously upset that his club lost another 3rd period lead but he was able to take away some positives as well. He noted he all 4 lines were solid throughout the game. The line of Mohle, Theaker and Rolph dominated every time they were on the ice.

Due to illness of defensmen Zach Dion and Peter Soligo, Conner Ste Marie played a regular shift on defense and had a stellar performance. Chris MacDougall had another solid goal and could not be faulted for any of the goals.

He was also pleased with the play of newly signed forward Taylor Lakasik. Lakasik is a draft pick of the Owen Sound Attack and recently was playing with the Orangeville Crushers of the OPJHL.

Next game for the Canes is next Thursday when they travel to Barntford to face the formidable Golden Eagles and scoring wizard Josh McQuade.

Next home game is Saturday, November 7th when the Waterloo Siskins are the visitors. Game time at the Sleeman Center is 7:30 p.m.

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.

Young Hurricanes battle adversity to sit 7th at the 1/4 mark of the season

With 1/4 of the  Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season finished, the young Guelph Hurricanes team (who survived an injury to their starting goaltender and a coaching/GM change) currently sits 7th in the MidWest Division (an 19th in the GOJHL) with 9 points.

More stability behind the bench and in net, along with the experience the rookies have received so far and their never quit attitude, would lead me to believe that they can at least dupicate 9 points in the next quarter of the season. (All 13 games are against in-division teams)

The current standings are below:

Standings

GOJHL 2009/2010

Western Conference
Team	GP	W	L	PTS	WPCT
London	11	9	1	19	.864
Strathroy	10	8	2	16	.800
LaSalle	10	7	3	14	.700
Sarnia	13	5	4	14	.538
Chatham	11	6	5	12	.545
St. Thomas	10	5	4	11	.550
St. Marys	10	5	4	11	.550
Leamington	13	1	11	3	.115
Lambton Shores	10	1	9	2	.100
Midwestern Conference
Team	GP	W	L	PTS	WPCT
Stratford	13	11	2	22	.846
Brantford	11	9	2	18	.818
Cambridge	11	8	2	17	.773
Waterloo	11	8	3	16	.727
Listowel	11	6	5	12	.545
Elmira	11	5	4	12	.545
Guelph	13	4	8	9	.346
Kitchener	12	2	9	5	.208
Golden Horseshoe Conference
Team	GP	W	L	PTS	WPCT
St. Catharines	12	9	2	19	.792
Niagara Falls	10	8	2	16	.800
Thorold	10	6	2	14	.700
Wheatfield	11	4	5	10	.455
Port Colborne	12	4	7	9	.375
Welland	11	3	7	7	.318
Stoney Creek	8	2	5	5	.313
Fort Erie	11	2	8	5	.227

Guelph’s next home game is this Saturday Oct. 17th at the Sleeman Centre where the Hurricanes host the Kitchener Dutchmen in the first game of a home-and-home series. Game time is 7:30pm.

Hurricanes take flight

After a slow start that saw the Guelph Hurricanes staring at an 0-3-0 record, the junior hockey team has won 4 of their last 5 games.

Guelph beat the Kitchener Dutchmen, LaSalle Vipers, Weatfield Blades and the Lambton Shores Preditors and how have they been doing it.

1. Hard Work: This team just doesn’t quit!!! Even in the games they have lost, they usually outplay thier opponants in the 3rd period. This characteristic will help them win more games as the season progresses.

2. Smothering Penalty Kill: Guelph is ranked in the top 3 of the 25 team league and recently allowed the #2 Powerplay unit from LaSalle to only one powerplay goal.

3. Improved offence: Led by speedy forward Dan Mohle who is 7th in the league scoring, Guelph’s offence has scored 15 goals in their first 2 games as opposed to 3 in their first 2 games of the season.

Overall this team is enjoyable to watch and in my opinion, the best kept secret in Guelph.

The Hurricanes play 2 home games this weekend:

Thursday night at 7:45pm they take on the Brantford Golden Eagles

and Saturday night they host the Listowel Cyclones. That game is at 7:30 pm. Both games are at the Sleeman Centre.