Bryan Thomson Shines in Hurricanes 3-2 SO Win
December 8, 2021, the Lethbridge Hurricanes played host to the visiting Calgary Hitmen. The game was the team’s second meeting in 5 days, following a Lethbridge OT win in Calgary on Saturday, a game that also doubled as the Hitmen’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game. The matchup at home for the Hurricanes was a close checking game with lots of grit shown by both teams. The Canes trailed through most of the game, but tied things up in the third to bring on overtime and eventually the shootout, which they would win. The play of Canes goaltender Bryan Thomson was particularly impressive through the match, and Thomson chatted about the match with Lethbridge Sports today.
“Obviously we’re come out of the game with a lot of confidence.” Bryan tells us about how the team is feeling today. “Hopefully that carries into the next game.” We asked Bryan what he thought the key to victory was in the game last night. “Sticking to our game and playing how we know how to.” He says. “In last night’s game we got away from that early on, but at the end we dialed it back in.” For the team to continue to be successful through the rest of the season, Bryan adds that they’re going to be, “Coming out with a hot start’s huge and then playing our game.”
Bryan gives a nod to their opposition through last night’s match. He faced 40 shots on the night and posted a 0.95 save percentage. “They’re a fast team and like to get pucks to the net.” Bryan says of Calgary. “They have a lot of bodies in front.” Facing that kind of opposition through the game can be demanding, and Bryan says staying focused is key. “Keeping your goals in mind and keeping your focus on how to play your best game is the big part of my game there.” In particular, Bryan is regularly focusing on the fundamentals of his game. “Making sure I’m playing on my toes. Tracking down on the puck. Remember you gotta take it one shot at a time. If one goes in, focus and get ready for the next one.” Bryan’s focus and in particular a one-footed blind save with his foot in the shootout earned his team the win and also gained Bryan a nod as the 2nd star of the night.
Going forward, Bryan sees good potential for his team, who sit at 10-11-1-0 on the season, one game off from the .500 win percent that many look for. “I think staying in the win column is huge for us. Trying to get those extra needed points that will carry us into playoffs and then a strong playoff run.” Commentator Dustin Forbes and others have recently compared this year’s Hurricanes with the 2016-17 team who made it to the 3rd round of the playoffs. We asked Bryan his thoughts on the comparison. “It’s a strong team to compare us to, which is a good comparison. It’s a good goal for us to be as good as they were in the past. We want to bring a banner back to City of Lethbridge. That would be huge.”
As the season has progressed, Bryan has been growing with the team and is very positive about his own contributions to the team’s ongoing success. “I think I’ve personally took a big stride this year getting that starter position. The coaches let me start and that’s a confidence booster and also brings pressure. Performing with that added pressure is something I’m still learning. I’m happy with my game this season. A few shaky games of course, but it’s all about how you bounce back.”
The Hurricanes players have a long history of community involvement outside the rink, which Bryan tells us is something they have sadly seen pared back during COVID. “With the COVID situation, we’re not allowed to do much community things.” He says. “I’ve partnered with Hockey Gives Blood. That’s a good community group to be a part of and I’m privileged to be part of such a great group of guys. Their message is a good one, and the organization’s working for a good cause. Bringing awareness to blood donation and plasma donation and stem cell registration. Also promoting organ donation like Logan Boulet. Bringing awareness to that anyway I can.” Hockey Gives Blood is a program partnered with the Canadian Blood Services to promote blood donation as an integral component of hockey programs’ social and community involvement.
Thomson is thankful for all of the support from his family getting to this point and through his WHL career. He thinks of them whenever he steps on the ice. “I’m playing for my family and my teammates.” He shares. “My family had some issues last year in the COVID season but I’m keeping them in the back of my mind. Knowing who I’m playing for has been really motivating this year.”
Bryan and the Hurricanes play their next game on Friday, December 10th at 7pm. They’ll be playing at home at the Enmax Center. The Hurricanes are currently running a ticket promotion, anyone who goes to the ticket office in a Christmas / Holiday sweater can get a discount on their game tickets between now and the end of the year.
Lethbridge Sports’ full set of game photos can be found here.