Junior Hurricanes crunched by Crunch - Second period kills the 'Canes

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Junior Hurricanes crunched by Crunch

Second period kills the ‘Canes

By NOLAN REID

Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

The Holland College Junior Hurricanes gave up three goals in less than 11 minutes in the second period to lose 6-2 to the Morell Crunch on Sunday at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

With the loss, the ‘Canes drop to 3-9-0 on the season, tied for second last with South Side Lynx.

Darren Cairns had a goal and an assist and Jordan Hamilton had two assists to help the ‘Canes. Nigel Fisher led the way for Morell with two goals as Zack MacDonald and Spencer VanDiepen each added three assists.

The Hurricanes were without three assistant captains and two other players and eventually lost captain Zach Bennett in the second period to a game misconduct penalty.

Hurricanes forward Owen Wilson said the team was missing speed.

"Everybody was out there for a Sunday skate and losing Bennett broke everybody's energy."

The team was a bit too negative, said Wilson.

"We just go out looking to have a skate and have some fun and whatever we don't do well , we just basically call ourselves down in the dressing room afterwards."

Head coach Daniel Cudmore said he expected a better effort from everyone since the team was down players.

"Our top guys aren't being our top guys. It's just trickling down from there."

The team is struggling to play a full game, said Cudmore.

"They came out and played a great first period but then from there, the second period, we let it slip and from there it was out of hand after the second. Too much to comeback from anyhow."

Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead, 3:58 into the first period with Bennett's ninth of the season. Cairns and Hamilton drew the assists. The Crunch tied the game with a goal from Jamie Kelly at 15:26.

Matt MacDonald put the Crunch up 2-1, 2:02 into the second period. Zack MacDonald and VanDiepen had the assists. The lead was increased to two with a point shot by Brandon Kok that beat ‘Canes netminder Sean Letourneau at 6:40. Darcy Nicholson upped the lead to 4-1 with his sixth of the season at 12:35.

In the third period, Nigel Fisher added his first of two to increase the Crunch lead to 5-1 at 1:51. He added his second goal moments later at 5:50 to give Morell a 6-1 lead.

Cairns added his fifth of the season at 6:03 with Hamilton and Lucas Peters drawing the assists.

Letourneau made 44 saves in the loss as Crunch netminder Travis Cane made 22 saves for the victory.

Hurricanes are back in action Saturday, Dec. 4, when they visit the Charlottetowmn Abbies at Simmons Sports Centre.