Hurricanes Blank Ice 3-0
Cranbrook, BC – The Lethbridge Hurricanes completed a five game BC road trip on Saturday with a 3-0 in Cranbrook over the Kootenay Ice on the back of a 47-save shutout from Stuart Skinner.
It was a fast-paced first period that saw a total of 23 shots on net with 18 of them coming for the Ice, just five for the Hurricanes. The ‘Canes had an early opportunity on the power play but failed to beat Ice netminder Duncan McGovern. Ice then had a power play but Skinner stood tall, making a big save on Michael King in front of the net. Skinner continued to stand tall as Kootenay peppered him with countless shots but the ‘Canes would escape the first in a scoreless tie.
The Ice continued to fire everything at Skinner but couldn’t solve the Oilers draft pick as Kootenay outshot the ‘Canes 17-10 in the middle frame. The ‘Canes struck for three goals in the second in a span of 4:20. First, Ryan Vandervlis netted his 11th of the season on an unassisted goal to make it 1-0 at the7:22 mark; it was the third straight game that Vandervlis has scored. At the 10:59 mark, the ‘Canes scored again as Jordy Bellerive scored for the fifth straight game as he snapped home his team-leading 13th of the year to make it 2-0; Calen Addison and Giorgio Estephan earned the assists. Just 43 seconds after the Bellerive goal, Jake Elmer finished on a two-on-one to make it 3-0 – Josh Tarzwell and Ty Prefontaine picked up the helpers as the ‘Canes led the game 3-0 after forty minutes of play.
Kootenay continued to pour it on in the third period outshooting the Hurricanes 12-8 in the final twenty minutes. Skinner continued to stand tall making countless big saves in both the third period and the game. The Ice had four power play chances in the final frame but could not solve the ‘Canes netminder as he led the ‘Canes to a 3-0 win.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #74 Stuart Skinner (47 saves, shutout)
2) ‘Canes – #21 Ryan Vandervlis (1 goal)
3) Ice – #10 Jonathan Smart
The win for the ‘Canes was their third straight as they finish the five game BC road trip with a 3-2-0-0 record. The Hurricanes improve to 10-12-1-0 on the season and now sit just two points back of the Ice for second in the Central Division.
The Hurricanes return to action on Tuesday when they welcome the Portland Winterhawks at the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm. Tickets for Tuesday’s game can be purchased online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
(Photo Credit: Kootenay Ice)
