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.

Hurricanes drop a close one to Cyclones in OT

from http://www.guelphhurricanes.com

CANES LOSE IN OVERTIME

The atmosphere inside the Ice Palace was hot for a couple of hours as the Hurricanes and Cyclones put on one of the most entertaining, exciting games of the season. The Cyclones prevailed in overtime 4-3 but were pushed to the limit by the hard working Canes.

Chris McDougall covers the puck

Listowel struck first with former Cane Dan Mohle chipping a loose puck into the net for a 1-0 first period lead. The Cyclones struck again before the Canes went to work. Tyson Theaker(17) scored from Mike McFarlane and Nic MacEachern making the score 2-1 entering the 3rd period.

The Canes came out flying in the 3rd and put pressure on Guelph native Jim Prigione. Prigone made a number of excellent saves before Luca Penzo(5) beat him with a power play goal to tie the game. Martin Kudla and Mike Iaccoca assisted on the goal. Canes kept up the pressure until McFarlane(10) with assists from Theaker and Wade Pfeffer put the Canes up 3-2.

Now it was McDougall’s turn to shine in the Canes net and he did. He made a number of excellent saves to keep the Canes in the lead. But with the Canes in control and less than 2 minutes left lighting struck. Former Hurricane Ken Rolph stole the puck in the offensive zone, walked in on McDougall and scored sending the game into overtime.

An ill-advised retailiation penalty with less than a minute left in regulation gave the Cyclones the man advantage heading into overtime. Fergus resident Eric Dekkers scored right off the face-off with a blast that caught McDougall off guard to send the Listowel fans home happy.

The one point puts the Canes in a dead heat with the Kitchener Dutchmen setting up their upcomng game on Tuesday in Kitchener.

The Canes have 4 games left in the regular season with the lone home game being next Thursday Feb 25th at the the Sleeman Centre vs. the Cambridge WinterHawks. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Pegrum’s 38 saves not enough for Canes

Pegrum stops 38 Waterloo shots

Despite Drew Pegrum’s 38 save performance the Guelph Hurricanes (11-20-4 26 pts.) still lost 5-2 in Waterloo (28-5-0 56 pts.) versus the Siskins Friday night.

Waterloo outshot Guelph (43-23 ) and received a great offensive night  from forward Matt Reid (3 goals + 1 assist) and goalie Will Sibley picked up his 4th win this season against Guelph.

Martin Kudla and Mike Iacocca both scored Powerplay goals for the Canes.

Guelph’s next action is tomorrow night when they travel to Brantford to take on the Golden Eagles, before they return home next Thursday (Jan. 14th) on Habitat for Humanity night vs. the Cambridge Winter Hawks. Game Time 7:45 at the Sleeman Centre

Sleeman Centre busy place this Saturday

The Sleeman Centre will be a busy place tomorrow. (Saturday December 19th, 2009)

First the Guelph Storm host the Plymouth Whalers at 2:00pm in OHL action.  This will be a chance to see newly acquired defenceman Ryan Gottschalk.

Then Chris McDougall and the Guelph Hurricanes host the Welland Canadiens at 7:30 pm in GOJHL action. Remember that Guelph Minor Hockey Players wearing their hockey jerseys will get in Free to the Hurricanes / Canadiens matchup.

 

So take a break from your Christmas shopping and head down to the Sleeman Centre for some exciting hockey

Former Hurricanes Sink Guelph in 7-1 loss to Listowel

from http://www.GuelphHurricanes.com

ROLPH, MOHLE SINK CANES

Former Canes (#7) Dan Mohle and (#25) Ken Rolph combine for 5 pts.

 Former Hurricanes Ken Rolph and Dan Mohle returned to the Sleeman Center with their new team the Listowel Cyclones Saturday night. Rolph had a goal and 2 assists and Mohle had a goal and an assist. They led the Cyclones to a convincing 7-1 win. The Canes were never in this game. This loss comes after beating the Cyclones at home 2-1 on Friday night.

It wasn’t pretty. The Canes couldn’t get anything going all night. They were outplayed and outhustled by the quicker Cyclones. Scoring for the Canes was Connor Ste Marie on helpers from Mike McFarland and Tyson Theaker.

The Canes next game is December 19 when the Welland Canadiens will be the visitors at he Sleeman Center. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Building for the Future: Analyzing the trade

Experienced Junior hockey fans recognize the strategy.

Successful junior hockey teams across the country have been using it for a while now.

Why? Because it works!!!

In leagues where players regularly come and go, entering the league at age 16 or 17 and graduating at 20 one of the keys to building a successful franchise and winning team is to maximize your assets.

How do you they do that?

They do that by setting up their team to take a run for the championship in a certain year.  Some call it a 3 year plan, sometimes it becomes a 4 or 5 year plan.

Here is how it works:

Step 1: Teams will choose the year they want to compete for the championship.

Step 2: They will try to acquire players that will mature in that year.

Step 3: If they are in the lower half of the standings before the trading deadline, they will trade away some of their star players to teams in the upper half of the standings in order to acquire top quality rookies that will mature in the year that they will make a run for it.

Step 4: In a year or two when they are competing for the championship they will add top players from the teams in the lower part of the standings in exchange for their future stars.

This is the strategy that we witnessed Jason Brooks and the Guelph Storm use when they traded away Thomas McCollum last year.

Veteran Dan Mohle now a Cyclone

And that is the strategy Guelph Hurricanes GM Matt Mullin used when he traded two of their top players in Forwards Ken Rolph (1989 birth year) and leading scorer Dan Mohle (also 1989 birth year) to the Listowel Cyclones for two rookie Forwards Blair Goss (1992 birth year), Jake Weidner (also 1992 birth year) and Future considerations.

According to Mullin, “Not only did we give Ken and Dan a chance to compete for the Sutherland Cup, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add 2 quality kids that will set us up nicely for the next couple of years.”

Blair Goss played the last 2 years with the Fergus Devils (Jr. C), scoring 76 pts. in 79 games, but is a big power forward 6’0″ 205 lbs. He was Listowel’s first star, scoring 2 goals in his last game.

According to the Listowel Cyclones website, “Blair Goss lead the Cyclones scoring attack with two solid strikes and did his best to help his team win with timely scoring and an energetic effort. The Fergus native is just getting his game back on track after suffering a broken ankle in summer lacrosse action.”

Jake Weidner (6’2″ 175) played AAA Midget in Grey-Bruce and is described as an excellent face-off guy and penalty kill expert.

Here was the description of how he played in his last game as a Cyclone, “Rookie forward Jake Weidner who put in another solid game on the PK and in the face – off circle. Make no mistake hockey fans; this young forward will be a dandy player in this league for seasons to come.”

And the best part is that instead of watching two senior players graduate in the next few months, we will be able to watch these two players develop over the next few seasons.

 Now that is what I call maximizing your assets.

*Note: You can see the new players Thursday night (Dec. 3rd) when the Hurricanes host the league leading Brantford Golden Eagles at the Sleeman Centre. Game time 7:45 pm.

You won’t have to wait too long to see Dan Mohle and Ken Rolph as the Listowel Cyclones play the Hurricanes in a home and home series. Friday night in Listowel and Saturday Dec. 5th in Guelph. Game time at the Sleeman Centre is 7:30 pm and remember Saturday night is “Kids Get in Free Night”, where 4 kids can get in free with every paid Adult admission.

Guelph Hurricanes announce Kids get in Free Night

Saturday is Kid's get in Free night

For all those Dad’s out there who need to keep the Kids occupied Saturday night so Mom can finish the Christmas Shopping, the Guelph Hurricanes have a solution to their problem.

This Saturday (Dec. 5th, 2009) night kids ages 0-13 get in Free as the Guelph Hurricanes take on Dan Mohle and the Listowel Cyclones in the back end of a home and home series.

For every adult ticket purchased up to 4 kids get in free.

This will be an opportunity for parents (the promotion works with Mom’s as well) to spend quality time (in a very economical way) with their kids during this hectic season.

Game time Saturday night is 7:30 pm at the Sleeman Centre.

Missing ring motivation for Guelph bench boss

from the Stratford Beacon Herald http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2175270

Missing ring motivation for Guelph bench boss

Posted By Mike Savage

If he had a do-over, Jim MacEachern would have played the 1987-88 season for the Waterloo Siskins.

His decision to not play that year still haunts him, yet serves as motivation for his new mission — help the Guelph Hurricanes bring home a championship.

“The city of Guelph deserves a winner, our owners deserve a winner, and that’s what we’re striving for,” MacEachern, the Hurricanes’ head coach since early October, said last night. “It may not happen this year. We know the odds are against it. What we need to do first is establish a winning attitude. The only way that will happen is if we string some ‘W’s’ together and build some confidence.

“It all starts with enjoying being at the rink and doing all you can to win. That has to be the goal every night or you’re in the wrong place.”

check out the rest of the article here: http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2175270

The Hurricanes play the Kitchener Dutchmen tonight at The Sleeman Centre on “Guaranteed Win Night” game time is 7:30 pm.

Tickets are only $8.00 for Adults, $6.00 for Students and Seniors and $2.00 for Children (up to grade 8)

Stratford unlucky in upset loss to Guelph

Mike McFarlane congratulates Chris McDougall

Chris McDougall and the Hurricanes like playing in Allman Arena. (Home of the Stratford Cullitons)

Why?

Because for the second time in a row, they went into Stratford, Chris McDougall stood on his head and they stole the victory.

Friday night, despite being outshot 39-17, Chris McDougall and the Hurricanes defeated the hometown Cullitons 4-1.

Guelph opened up the scoring in the first on an unassisted goal by Brandon Anselmini.  Hurricanes leading scorer Dan Mohle made it 2-0 Guelph. Luca Penzo got the assist.

After a scoreless second period, Craig Dalrymple scored 15 seconds into the 3rd to pull the Cullitons with in one. (assist went to Cohen Adair). The game was close until Martin Kudla made it 3-1 Guelph when he scored a powerplay goal at 16:05 (assist went to Captain Mike McFarlane).

In the late stages of the game (1:34 left) with Stratford looking to pull it within one, the Hurricanes received a penalty.

Then with 59 seconds left Stratford pulled their goalie to create a 6-4, Mike Iacocca sealed the victory with an empty netter to make it 4-1 (Mike McFarlane and Tyson Theaker received assists).

The win put the moved the Hurricanes back into 7th place with 16 pts. (7-13-2). One point over the 8th place Kitchener Dutchmen.

Remember, tomorrow night is Guaranteed Win Night against the Dutchmen.

Which means that anyone who purchase a ticket on game night will receive a free ticket to another Hurricanes home game if they don’t defeat the Dutchmen.

Game time is 7:30 sharp.

 

 

Hurricanes lose, but never gave up!!!

Winston Churchill would be proud of the Guelph Hurricanes.  At least how they played in the 3rd period.

Martin Kudla drives to the net

The Guelph Hurricanes played their 3rd game in 3 nights tonight against the Listowel Cyclones and for 2 periods it showed.

The edge in the first period would have to go to the Cyclones, who outshot the Hurricanes 12-7 in the period and went into the intermission with a 2-1 lead.

Although Guelph outshot the Cyclones in the second period 12-9, Listowel won most of the battles and extended their lead to 5-1.

But as Winston Churchill said in his famous speech to the Oxford University graduation class, “Never, Never, Never Give Up” and the Hurricanes didn’t.

I’m not sure what Coach Jim McEachern said during the 2nd intermission, but the Hurricanes came out flying in the 3rd, and scored a Powerplay goal 31 seconds into the period.

They poured it on, dominating the 3rd period scoring twice more and pulled to within one.

With time winding down, Coach McEachern pulled his goalie Trevor McGee, in order to get another attacker. Shortly afterward with the Hurricanes pressing, Eric Deckers collected his 2nd goal and 5th point by scoring into the empty net with 20.9 seconds remaining.

Offensive stars for the Hurricanes were: #7 Dan Mohle with 4 points (2 goals – 2 assists) (Dan now sits 2nd in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League scoring with 23 points),  #24 Tyson Theaker with 3 points (1 goal – 2 assists) , and #6 Luca Penzo with 3 points (3 assists).

The Hurricanes schedule takes them on the road for the next 2 games: Oct. 10 @ St. Catharines, Oct. 11 @ Elmira, before they return to the Sleeman Centre on Oct. 17th where they continue their rivalry with the Kitchener Dutchmen. Game time is 7:30 pm.