Emotions will be running high as the Holland College Junior Hurricanes play two of their biggest games of the season this weekend.

 

Holland College will welcome the Arsenault's Fish Mart Red Wings to the Charlottetown Civic Centre at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12 before hosting the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers at 3:20 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13.

 

Saturday's game will be played in memory of Drew Power, a former Hurricanes assistant coach who passed away on Dec. 16 at age 31, with all 50-50 and t-shirt proceeds from the game going to Power's family.

 

Holland College will also sport a patch with Power's initials on their jerseys for the rest of the season.

 

The Hurricanes are coming off an 8-1 loss to the Red Wings in Evangeline on January 5, their first game in three weeks after a run that propelled them to third place in the IJHL standings before Christmas.

 

"This weekend should be a great test with two strong teams in the league," said Hurricanes head coach Ryan Maxwell.

 

Only having three ice times in three weeks hurt the team, Maxwell said.

 

"It's tough to stay sharp when you have almost a month off. I'm not making excuses, but we really need to have a good practice on Friday and come into the weekend running on all cylinders."

 

This will be the first look at a revamped Hurricanes roster following the IJHL trade deadline and the dispersal draft for the Charlottetown Abbies, who folded over the holidays.

 

The Hurricanes selected forward Conner Dillon, defencemen Pat Cullen and Devin Landrigan, and goaltender Dylan McQuaid in the dispersal draft, while acquiring forward Matt Patterson from the Montague Maniacs in exchange for Stewart Branstrom and a third-round pick.

 

"We've really added depth at the forward position," Maxwell said of acquiring Patterson and Dillon.

 

"It will take some heat off our top line and give us some balanced scoring."

 

Meanwhile, Cullen and Landrigan are welcome additions on defence, Maxwell said.

 

"They'll help bring some consistency and experience to our blue line. Before the trade all our defencemen were rookies to the league so it helps to add that experience."

 

McQuaid has spent time with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Hockey League this season, compiling a 6-0-0 record and a 1.68 goals-against average in eight games.

 

"If he joins the team, I think we will have the best 1-2 punch in the league at the position," Maxwell said of his potential tandem of McQuaid and Dustin Stevens, who sports a 6-3-0 record with a 4.81 goals-against average.

 

The weekend will be emotional with Saturday’s memorial game, Maxwell said.

 

"I hope our players can turn that into something positive as we look to build momentum for the playoffs."

 

Check out an article called "Powerful Memories" posted on the Holland College Hurricanes Facebook page.