Hurricanes Blast Hitmen in Massive 9-2 Win on Sunday Afternoon
Calgary, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a stretch of three-straight road games on Sunday with a monstrous 9-2 victory over the Calgary Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Lethbridge made their second of three trips to Calgary this season and their first since the middle of October as it was a battle of the eighth and ninth placed teams in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes had a great start to the game scoring just 14-seconds into the contest when Noah Chadwick buried a back-hand passed Ethan Buenaventura to make it 1-0 with his 10th goal of the season; Logan McCutcheon earned the lone assist on the goal. Lethbridge kept pressing and Buenaventura made a great glove save on a Miguel Marques breakaway to keep it a one-goal game. Calgary drew even at the 7:52 mark when Ben Kindel ripped home his 14th goal of the year beating Harrison Meneghin low-glove side to make it a 1-1 contest. The ‘Canes pulled back in front when Marques sniped his 25th goal of the season on a three-on-one with 5:41 remaining in the period; Chadwick and McCutcheon picked up the helpers on the goal that put Lethbridge in front 2-1. The Hitmen got into penalty trouble at the end of the first period, but the Hurricanes were unable to make good with four first period power plays – including a five-on-three – as Lethbridge held the 2-1 advantage after one period. The Hurricanes peppered Buenaventura would a season-high 21 shots in a period while surrendering just eight shots to the Hitmen.
Calgary had a good start to the second period as they pulled back even for the second time as Ben Kindel fired home his second goal of the contest – and 15th of the season – to make it a 2-2 game just 2:42 into the middle frame. Just over two-minutes later, the Hurricanes pulled back in front when Carter Dereniwsky stuffed home a shot at the side of the Calgary goal to end a 30-game goal drought giving the Lethbridge a 3-2 lead; Kooper Gizowski earned the only assist on the goal. The ‘Canes struck again at the 11:42 as Brayden Edwards finished off a three-way passing play for his 22nd goal of the season to give the Hurricanes their first multi-goal lead in the game; Gizowski and Sean Tschigerl were credited with the assists. With under two-minutes remaining in the period, Lethbridge added to their lead making it a 5-2 game when Kash Andresen buried a one-timer for his second goal of the season as he snapped home a centering pass from Luke Cozens – Braeden Wynne collected the second assist on the goal as the ‘Canes held a three-goal advantage after two periods. Shots were even 10-10 in the second period.
In the third period, the ‘Canes kept pouring it on the Hitmen and added to their lead when Chadwick buried his second of the game post-and-in to make it a 6-2 Lethbridge lead just 4:47 into the period; Marques and McCutcheon credited with the assists. Lethbridge made it a five-goal lead when Wormald was sprung on a breakaway before slipping it five-hole on Buenaventura before Edwards cashed in his second of the game – and 23rd of the season – to make it 8-2 at the 10:58 mark of the third. Before the game was over, the Hurricanes added a ninth goal when Marques fired a pass cross-ice to Hayden Pakkala who made no mistake for his 10th goal of the season to make it a 9-2 final. The nine goals marking a new season-high for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes outshot the Hitmen 17-8 in the third period while setting a season-high with 48 shots in the game holding a 48-26 edge in shots. Lethbridge went 0/5 on the power play while Calgary was 0/1 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #8 Noah Chadwick (2 goals, 1 assist)
2) Hitmen – #23 Ben Kindel (2 goals)
3) ‘Canes – #18 Logan Wormald (1 goal, 1 assist)
The win for the Hurricanes improved their record to 2-1-0-0 in their last three games while they ended the month of February with a 3-6-2-0 record in 11 games. Lethbridge ended a seven-game road losing streak with the win as their road record improved to 10-18-0-0 on the season while their overall record improved to 26-26-5-0 on the year.
The Hurricanes will visit the Saskatoon Blades on Friday, March 1st at 6:00pm MT before visiting the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday, March 2nd at 6:00pm MT. Lethbridge will return to the ENMAX Centre on Wednesday, March 6th when they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
