Auditions begin for Canes
There are no guaranteed spots on the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Kicking off their Western Hockey League exhibition season Friday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena against the Medcine Hat Tigers, the Canes were topped 4-2 as the rematch heads down the road to Taber tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Lethbridge struck first on an early goal from Brady Pouteau and veteran forward Giorgio Estephan scored late, but the visitors struck for four between those two goals to earn the win.
With Game 2 of auditions continuing tonight in Taber, Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio said any spots on this roster will be earned.
“I thought we were just OK. The guys have to be better. We have some good competitions going on and some good battles and it looked like today a lot of guys were taking their spots for granted right now and they have to earn a spot back on this team. It’s a teaching point for some of our guys that they’re going to have to work a lot harder.”
Tigers 2001-born forward Josh Williams scored twice for Medicine Hat in the second period before Daniel Baker and Corson Hopwo struck in the third.
“I thought it was spirited,” said Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston. “I was really impressed with lots of our younger players, but it’s one game. But it was great. For some of the guys it was their first game in a Tigers uniform, so it was exciting for them. It always feels good to win whether it’s preseason or playoffs.
“I thought both our goaltenders (Garin Bjorklund and Duncan McGovern) played well. That was a real highlight. Garin played great and I thought Josh Williams was outstanding.”
Hurricanes starter Stuart Skinner stopped 39 shots in Friday’s loss.
“It was good to get a game in, but obviously we’re unhappy with the result,” said Hurricanes forward Shawn Harke. “We need to bring a lot better tomorrow night. We got out-worked tonight and that’s not OK.”
The Canes will go for a split with the Tigers in Taber tonight. And the auditions will continue. “I think it’s a great opportunity for guys going in tomorrow night to show up a lot of guys that played tonight because there are some good players that were out of the lineup tonight that will go in tomorrow. We’ll see how they do and if they show well it’s going to put a lot of guys who played tonight in a tough spot.”
A pair of 2002-born players were in the lineup for the Hurricanes as first-round pick Noah Boyko and Drew Englot laced up.
“I thought our 15-year-olds did a great job tonight,” said Kisio. “I thought they played hard and did a lot of good things. They showed really well for the future of our program.”