Horns wrapping up first semester
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team closes out the first semester at home this weekend, while the Horns men head to the West Coast.
The Pronghorns women’s team welcomes the UBC Thunderbirds to Nicholas Sheran Arena in Canada West play tonight at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, the men are in Vancouver to take on the Thunderbirds tonight and tomorrow.
The Pronghorns women (3-9-2) took to snap a six-game losing streak and are seven points back from a playoff spot. Lethbridge lost two one-goal games to the Mount Royal Cougars last weekend.
Through 14 games, the Pronghorns have scored the second-fewest goals in Canada West with 15, while allowing 33 goals against. However, their penalty killing is ranked third in Canada West at at 89.6 per cent.
The Pronghorns beat the Thunderbirds 2-0 in the team’s season-opener in Vancouver.
Tricia Van Vaerenbergh continues to lead the Pronghorns in scoring with five goals and two assists and is tied for fourth in the league in goal scoring.
Goaltender Alicia Anderson has made 377 saves to lead Canada West and has a 1.94 goalsagainst average and a 0.943 save percentage in 12 appearances.
She also leads Canada West in shutouts with four.
As for giving up first-round picks, Anholt noted the risk of losing a future prospect, but added that’s the going rate to land players of Henry’s and Leschyshyn’s calibre.
As 1999-born players, both the newest Hurricanes are eligible to return as overagers next season.
“Any time you give up firstround picks you’re giving up quality players that possibly going to be players for you in the future,” said Anholt. “But when you’re getting players like Henry and Leschyshyn, that’s been pretty much the norm here in the last few years. We gave up a few other picks, but the conditional picks won’t kick in unless they come back as overagers and I would be happy to take them back as overagers anyway. When it’s all said and done, it’s the first-round picks that are the tough ones to give up.”
At the Hurricanes’ practice Thursday afternoon at the ATB Centre, Canes captain Jordy Bellerive noted a somber mood watching Joseph and Kolle depart, but the excitement of the latest acquisitions coming in.
“This morning it was obviously tough to hear when two really good guys are going the other way,” said Bellerive. “That’s obviously disappointing in that way. But we have some really high-end talent coming in and it puts us in a really good position (to be) a contender. We have a really good team now and a good offence. So I think it’s really exciting for us and for the city.”
Having battled the two opponents-turned-teammates over the years, Bellerive is familiar with what’s coming on board.
“They’re awesome players,” said the captain. “Jake is an unbelieveable two-way centre, so that’s huge for us, kind of a penalty kill and power play, topline minutes kind of thing. Henry is a skilled guy. I think he had 85 points when he was 17 and playing on a really good team. So he’s used to the atmosphere as well. He’s a really talented guy and has a big shot, too, so that will help us up front.”
Both Leschyshyn and Henry will be in the lineup tonight when the Hurricanes host the Swift Current Broncos at 7 p.m. at the Enmax Centre.
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