Hurricanes Beat Broncos 5-2, Sweep Opening Weekend
Swift Current, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes improved to 2-0-0-0 on the season on Saturday with a 5-2 road victory in Swift Current over the Broncos at the Innovation-Plex.
It was a great first period that saw both teams trade chances as the goaltenders were tested in both creases. The Broncos had a great opportunity early in the game as Van Eger was sprung on a breakaway but Harrison Meneghin made a huge pad save on the second-year forward. Swift Current’s Brady Birnie was sprung home-free on a breakaway just a couple moments later and Meneghin once again stood tall keeping the game scoreless. Luke Cozens had a partial break himself later in the period in hopes of his first WHL goal but Broncos netminder Joey Rocha made a blocker save to keep it a 0-0 tie. Meneghin was forced to make another great save on former teammate Tyson Laventure on a shorthanded two-on-one, a power play that saw the Hurricanes fail to score as the game was scoreless after one period of play. Swift Current outshot Lethbridge 9-7 in the first frame.
The Hurricanes struck early in the second period just 24-seconds in as Logan Wormald rifled home his second goal in as many games to start the season giving Lethbridge a 1-0 lead; Miguel Marques and Aiden Ziprick earned the assists on the goal. The ‘Canes doubled their lead when Tyson Zimmer snapped home his first of the season at the 3:48 mark making it 2-0 Lethbridge. Off-setting penalties resulted in four-on-four hockey and Swift Current was able to cut the league in half as Van Eger ripped home his first WHL goal to make it a 2-1 game. Less than a minute later, the Hurricanes restored their two-goal lead as Trae Wilke – who assisted on the Zimmer goal – one-timed home his first of the year to make it a 3-1 Lethbridge lead after two periods of play. The Hurricanes outshot the Broncos 15-8 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Broncos pulled to within a goal at the 7:49 mark as Connor Gabriel beat Meneghin over the blocker with a shot that deflected off a stick to make it a 3-2 Hurricanes lead. Swift Current continued to press in hopes of finding a tying goal but it was the ‘Canes that found the next goal as Brayden Edwards snapped home his first goal of the year on a two-on-one to once again restore the Lethbridge two-goal lead. Broncos had a late power play in the game and pulled the goaltender but Edwards potted his second of the night to make it a 5-2 final.
The Hurricanes were outshot 9-8 in the third period but held the edge 30-26 in the game. Lethbridge went 0/3 on the power play while going 2/2 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Broncos – #29 Van Eger (1 goal)
2) ‘Canes – #18 Logan Wormald (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) Broncos – #38 Grayson Burzynski (1 assist)
The victory for the Hurricanes improved their record to 2-0-0-0 on the new season. It’s the first time since 2021-2022 that the ‘Canes opened the season with an opening weekend sweep. The Hurricanes are 1-0-0-0 on the road and 1-0-0-0 at home on the young season.
Lethbridge will continue their three-game stretch of road games with a pair of games in Edmonton against the Oil Kings on Friday and Sunday next weekend. The ‘Canes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, October 6th when they welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
