Bellerive Hat-Trick Leads Hurricanes to 6-2 Win in PG
Prince George, BC – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continued their five game BC road trip on Friday in the first of two games in Prince George against the Cougars and the ‘Canes earned a 6-2 victory in the first leg of the back-to-back.
It was an even first period that saw the Cougars outshoot the Hurricanes 12-9 in the opening twenty minutes. Lethbridge scored the first goal for the fourth straight game as Owen Blocker snapped one home beating Cougars goaltender Taylor Gauthier short-side for his second of the season and first as a ‘Canes at the 5:32 mark; Keltie Jeri-Leon and Matthew Stanley earned the assists. For Stanley, his first point as a Hurricanes. Prince George was able to tie the game less than three minutes later as Josh Curtis redirected his sixth of the season at the 8:14 mark to tie the game 1-1.
The Hurricanes exploded for four goals in the middle frame. Jordy Bellerive scored his first of two in the second period just 1:46 in beating Gauthier for his 27th goal of the season giving the ‘Canes a 2-1 lead. The ‘Canes struck again as Brad Morrison scored a beautiful goal slipping his stick and puck between his legs before flipping it by Gauthier to make it 3-1 Lethbridge. Just 34 seconds later, the ‘Canes struck again as Jake Elmer snapped home his 13th of the year to end the night of Gauthier who surrendered four goals on 13 shots. The ‘Canes got in some penalty trouble midway through the period as Prince George had a five-on-three power play for 1:52 but Lethbridge was able to kill it off keeping it a three goal lead. Cougars pulled within two as Curtis snapped home his second of the night at the 14:46 mark but the ‘Canes answered on a delayed penalty just 34 seconds later as Bellerive rifled home his second of the night to give the Hurricanes a 5-2 lead after two periods; for Bellerive, a new career-high of 28 goals and counting.
The Hurricanes outshot the Cougars 5-4 in the third period. Prince George had another five-on-three power play opportunity but failed to capitalize on it again as the ‘Canes penalty kill was strong in the game going 5/5. The ‘Canes sealed the win as Bellerive completed his first WHL hat-trick snapping home his 29th of the season on a solo rush with just 2:51 left in the game to make it a 6-2 final.
The Hurricanes outshot the Cougars 28-24 in the hockey game. The ‘Canes were 0/4 on the power play and 5/5 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #15 Jordy Bellerive (3 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #19 Brad Morrison (1 goal, 1 assist, fight)
3) Cougars – #10 Josh Curtis (2 goals)
The win for the Hurricanes extends their point streak to six games having posted a 5-0-1-0 record in that span. Lethbridge is now 8-3-2-0 in their last 13 games and improved to 22-19-4-0 on the year.
The Hurricanes and Cougars will meet against on Saturday at the CN Centre before the Hurricanes travel to Cranbrook to face the Kootenay Ice on Tuesday. The Hurricanes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Wednesday night to host the Kelowna Rockets. Tickets for the game can be purchased online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
