Hitmen Storm Back For OT Win
A good speech can spark things.
It worked it’s magic tonight.
The Hitmen completed a dramatic third period comeback to defeat the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime on Saturday night at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut’ina Nation and improved to 3-3-1 on the season.
Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, assistant coach Trent Cassan took on the duties for giving the pep talk before they headed out for the third and the group responded in the best way possible.
“He had a terrific message that was heartfelt and on point,” head coach Steve Hamilton said. ” He’s an excellent coach but a man of few words sometimes so when he says his piece, it has a resounding effect on our group
“That was a big time gut check for us. We’re no ways perfect but we’re progressing and we want that to be our calling card. A hard team to play against and challenge ourselves to be better.”
Sophomore defenceman Tyson Galloway notched a team leading three points for the home side with two goals and an assist. His second of the night was the game winner just 38 seconds into extra time. His first marker cut the Hurricanes lead down to 3-2 with five minutes left in regulation, off a point shot that fooled everyone.
His game-winner, was a thing of beauty.
“I was looking in the corner and it wasn’t there but then I saw the ref point to the net and the rest was history,” Galloway said on the goal. “It’s a good feeling scoring an overtime winner and getting the win with all the boys.
“We have a resilient and hard working group.”
Riley Fiddler-Schultz authored the equalizer with 2:18 left on the clock while captain Josh Prokop picked up the other Hitmen goal back in the first period. Liam Kindree, Logan Barlage and Justin Hall all found the back of the net for Lethbridge with Alex Cotton adding a pair of assists.
The Hitmen once again outshot the visitors like they did Friday night, this time by a 40-32 margin. Goaltender Jack McNaughton made 29 saves to pick up the victory while Carl Tetachuk made 36 stops in the loss.
“They’ve been great for us,” Galloway said on the play of the Hitmen goaltenders this season. “Jack bailed us out multiple times tonight especially with all those breakaways in the first period. He kept us in it and made it possible to pull off the comeback.
“They’ve been keeping us in games all season so far and giving us a chance to win.”
The two teams will close their weekend series tomorrow, Sunday, March 21st in Lethbridge in a 6:00 p.m. start, as the Hitmen look to build off of the strong third period from tonight and translate it to a full 60-minute effort.
“It’s a new game and we want to win the weekend series,” Hamilton said. ” We want to be prepared and just manage our emotional game and shift length with it being the third game and both teams feeling it.
“We have a chance to wrap it up with a win and that’s something we’re shooting for.”
