The Lethbridge Hurricanes and Medicine Hat Tigers are closing out their opening weekend matchup which is also the second of their 8 meetings this season.  In the Canes home and season opener last night, Lethbridge got off to a slow start with just 4 shots on goal in the first period but were only down a goal after being outshot 10-4. The Canes shook off the start and came out with all sorts of jump in the second period. A powerplay goal by Brady Ramsay tied the game before they took the lead 7 minutes later on a goal by Jamal Watson. Lethbridge found themselves on the PK less than a minute later but last year’s Rookie of the Year Sam McKechnie scored shorthanded to give the Canes a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. The Tigers got within a goal in the 3^rd, but All-Star Goalie Ty Rimmer held Medicine Hat at bay and an empty netter by Jaimen Yakubowski sealed the 4-2 Hurricanes win in front of 4514 fans.

Last season the teams split their 8 game series (Sept 24^th: 4-2 win, Nov 30^th: 4-3 win, Dec 29^th: 5-2 loss, Dec 30^th: 3-2 loss, Jan 6^th: 3-1 win, Jan 27^th: 8-2 loss, Mar 10^th: 3-1 loss, Mar 17^th: 6-5 win/SO.)

2012 – 2013 vs. Medicine Hat

Sepember 21^st – Lethbridge (4) Medicine Hat (2)

Goals:  Lethbridge – 4 Medicine Hat – 2

Shots on Goal:  Lethbridge – 22 Medicine Hat - 38

Powerplay:  Lethbridge – 1/6  Medicine Hat – 1/4

Top Scorers – Lethbridge:

McKechnie, Ramsay, Watson and Yakubowski: 1 goal each

Erkamps, Hood, Laurencelle, Rimmer: 1 assist each

Top Scorers – Medicine Hat:

Jayden Hart: 1G, 1A – 2 points

Kale Kessy: 1G, 0A – 1 point

3 others with 1A each

COMMUNITY CORNER:

Every Friday home game throughout the season is also “Food Bank Fridays”.  Be sure to bring a non-perishable food item for the Lethbridge Food Bank. Also look for the Food Bank on the concourse and be sure to enter your name into draw for a weekly prize (winners announced during the game)

EXCLUSIVE for Season Ticket Holders: This season we’re introducing the Perfect Attendance! We want to reward our Season Ticket Holders for their perfect attendance. If their season ticket is scanned for every home game during the Hurricanes 2012-2013 regular season, they will be entered in a draw to win a free season ticket in 2013-2014.

DID YOU KNOW?:

- Leading the Way: The Lethbridge Hurricanes were proud to name overage forward Graham Hood the 22nd Captain in Hurricanes history this week. Hood follows in the footsteps of three of his former teammates – Brody Sutter, Cam Braes (2011-2012), Mike Reddington (2010-11) and Carter Bancks (2009-10) who have worn the “C” during his time in Lethbridge.

- According to the CSS:  Central Scouting released its “preliminary watch list” for 2012 and two Lethbridge Hurricanes will be heavily scouted this season. Defenceman Adam Henry (who is sidelined until January with a heart condition) and rookie Forward Axel Blomqvist are in the preliminary rankings. Henry finished with 21 points (4G, 17A) in 60 games last year while Blomqvist had 46 points in 38 games with Rogle J18 last season. 

- By the numbers: The Canes current roster is made up of 14 forwards, 10 defensemen and 2 goaltenders going into the WHL Opening Weekend. This group includes 11 WHL rookies (Ax. Blomqvist, Duke, Wong, Harper, Hackman, Sayers, Sutton, Pilon, Topping, Laurencelle, and Tai)

- Welcome Back! One of the great stories of training camp and the pre-season has been the return of Michael Sofillas. The 19-year old from Morden, MB played 64 games in the 2010-11 season but concussion symptoms forced him to miss all of last season. Sofillas returned to the Canes healthy and ready to pick up where he left off two years ago.

- Family Ties – Oh brother: Axel Blomqvist (acquired 17^th overall in the Import Draft) joins his brother Albin Blomqvist on the Hurricanes roster. Axel is a towering Forward at 6’5 and close to 200 lbs. Both are the younger brother of Anton Blomqvist.

Next up: The Hurricanes host the WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday, September 26^th. Game time is 7:00 and be sure to tune into the pregame show at 6:30pm with Pat Siedlecki and Fred Jack on the home of the Hurricanes – 94.1 CJOC. Home or on the road follow your Lethbridge Hurricanes with news and team headlines on Twitter @WHLHurricanes, play by play analysis @CanesCast or by checking out our website at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.  Fans can also follow us on our Official Facebook Fan Page at facebook.com/WHLHurricanes or check out the game live on WHL Web TV - log on to whl.ca for details and pricing. Fan can also drop by Pop's Pub South to watch the WHL Webcast live as they present all 36 Hurricanes road games this season.