Hurricanes Blank Defending Champs 5-0
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a three-game homestand on Wednesday with a convincing 5-0 win over the defending WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds at the ENMAX Centre.
It was a great first period for the Hurricanes who outshot the Thunderbirds 10-4 in the opening frame. Lethbridge opened the scoring at the 10:02 mark when Kooper Gizowski ripped home his second goal of the season to give the ‘Canes a 1-0 lead; Joe Arntsen and Dustin Renas earned the assists on the goal. Just over two-minutes later, the Hurricanes struck again when Trae Wilke one-touched a pass cross-ice to Elias Knoester who buried his first WHL goal to make it 2-0; Arntsen was credited with the second assist. Lethbridge struck again just 24-seconds later as Gizowski stole the puck from a Seattle defender and beat Scott Ratzlaff with a shot over the glove to make it a 3-0 Hurricanes lead after one period. The ‘Canes outshot the Thunderbirds 10-7 in the first period.
Seattle had a good start to the second period keeping the Hurricanes pinned in their own zone for the first four-minutes, but the Thunderbirds couldn’t solve Harrison Meneghin who was strong in the game, making his best save off of Gracyn Sawchyn with the glove. Lethbridge added to their lead just passed the mid-way point when Tyson Zimmer ripped home his fifth goal – and second in as many games – to make it a 4-0 lead; Chase Pauls and Elias Knoester earned the assists on the goal. The Hurricanes outshot the T-Birds 10-7 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Hurricanes continued to pour it on the T-Birds with a handful of good chances early in the period, but Ratzlaff turned aside the early looks. The Hurricanes added to their lead at the 3:38 mark of the period when Leo Braillard had the puck deflect off his face and into the net to make it 5-0; for Braillard, it was his first WHL goal as it extended his point streak to three-straight games since joining the Hurricanes – Brayden Edwards and Tristen Doyle earned the assists on the goal. Seattle couldn’t find any traction in the game as the ‘Canes were able to keep the T-birds at bay en route to a 5-0 victory as Meneghin earend his second shutout of the season – both at the ENMAX Centre.
Shots were even 11-11 in the third period while the Hurricanes outshot the Thunderbirds 31-22 in the contest. Lethbridge was 0/4 on the power play while Seattle was 0/1 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #12 Kooper Gizowski (2 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #27 Elias Knoester (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) ‘Canes – #35 Harrison Meneghin (22-save shutout)
The win for the Hurricanes was their third victory in their last three games while lifting their home-ice record to 5-0-1-0 on the season. Lethbridge improves to 8-5-1-0 on the season while earning their first home-ice win against Seattle since November of 2016. The win ended the Thunderbirds six-game wining streak.
The Hurricanes continue their three-game homestand on Friday when they welcome the Calgary Hitmen to the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm before hosting the Everett Silvertips on Wednesday, November 1st 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.
