Canes host Rebels tonight

The Lethbridge Hurricanes hit the ice tonight minus two key pieces. Following a 5-3 win over the Swift Current Broncos Saturday in Swift Current, the Canes are back at the Enmax Centre tonight as they host the Red Deer Rebels in Western Hockey League play at 7 p.m.

However, they’ll do so without 75 points in their lineup with WHL-leading scorer Dylan Cozens and defenceman Calen Addison both in Oakville Ont. for the Canadian Junior national team selection camp.

In 30 games this season, Cozens has netted 20 goals and 46 points, while Addison has seven goals and 29 points in 31 games.

Still, the Hurricanes will have a few other guns to go to as the Central Division race with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Medicine Hat Tigers doesn’t show signs of opening up anytime soon.

First-year import forward Oliver Okuliar continues to lead the league in goals with 23 in 32 games. In the past 10 games he has seven goals and 13 points and is on a seven-game points streak.

Those totals give the product of Trencin, Slovakia 42 points in 32 games, good for a tie for third in league scoring.

Meanwhile, second-year defenceman Alex Cotton continues to lead all WHL defencemen with nine goals and 35 points in 32 games.

He also brings a fourgame points streak into tonight’s game.

As of Tuesday, the 18-9-05 Hurricanes are tied with the Tigers (20-8-1-0) and are four points back of the Oil Kings (19-6-5-2).

The Tigers were in Saskatoon to face the Blades Tuesday night and are in Prince Albert tonight.

The Oil Kings host the Broncos tonight.

Prior to Saturday’s win in Swift Current, the Hurricanes were mired in a four-game skid and are 5-30-2 in their past 10 games.

The Rebels come into tonight’s game with a 1016-0-3 record following a 32 loss to the Regina Pats Saturday.

They are five points back of the Brandon Wheat Kings for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and are 4-5-1-0 in their past 10 games.

Former Hurricane Josh Tarzwell leads the Rebels with 12 goals, the only Rebel in double-digits in goals.

The Rebels trio of Arshdeep Bains, Dawson Barteaux and Chris Douglas each have 20 points in 29 games to lead the Rebels.

Douglas had a five-game points streak before getting shut out in Saturday’s loss in Regina and has 10 points in his last 10 games.

In goal, Ethan Anders and Claresholm’s Byron Fancy have played 17 games each. Fancy has a 5-6-0-0 record with a 3.71 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage.

This is the fourth meeting between the Central Division teams and memories of the last game are likely fresh on both teams’ minds following an 11-2 Hurricanes win Nov. 23 in Red Deer.

The Rebels won the first game of the season, a 5-2 decision Sept. 27 at the Enmax Centre when Anders made 40 saves.

The Hurricanes have a 21 advantage in the season series.

Following tonight’s game the Hurricanes have two more games prior to the Christmas break, both against the Calgary Hitmen.

The Canes host the Hitmen Saturday at the Enmax Centre at 7 p.m. and are in Calgary Sunday for the rematch at 2 p.m.