Hurricanes Bounce Back in 6-3 Victory Over Tigers
Medicine Hat, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes won their second game of a three-in-three weekend on Saturday night as they edged the Medicine Hat Tigers at the CO-OP Centre by a 6-3 score.
The Hurricanes looked to bounce back after Friday night’s loss to the Prince Albert Raiders in their first road trip of 2022. The Tigers were also looking for a win in Saturday night’s match up as they fell 6-2 to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night in their second game of a three-and-three weekend.
The Battle of Highway 3 started out strong for both the ‘Canes and the Tigers but the ‘Canes managed to capitalize first as Justin Hall beat Garin Bjorklund with the help of Nolan Bentham and Logan Wormald at the midway mark of the first period. The Tigers were fast to respond to the Hall goal as Dru Krebs found his way around Jared Picklyk to make it 1-1. The tie game did not last long as 40 second after Krebs beat Picklyk, Corson Hopwo scored to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead heading into the second. The Tigers outshot the ‘Canes 15-7.
The ‘Canes bounced back to start off the middle frame when they took advantage of an early power play to even the score as Jett Jones tipped home his ninth goal of the season from Justin Hall and Logan Wormald. The ‘Canes would then strike again three minutes later as Ty Nash scored on a breakaway from Chase Wheatcroft and Kade Nolan, giving the ‘Canes a one goal lead. The ‘Canes lead lasted for ten minutes when Andrew Basha found his way around Picklyk to even the score at 3 a piece. Late in the period both teams would be penalized as Logan Barlage and Pavel Bocharov got 5-minute majors for fighting but the ‘Canes would ultimately end up short-handed as Barlage headed off on an un-sportsman like conduct call. The ‘Canes would capitalize on the short-handed opportunity as Hall gets his second of the night with one minute remaining in the second period, giving the ‘Canes a 1 goal lead heading into the final 20 minutes, the ‘Canes outshooting the Tigers 16-8.
In the third period, Yegor Klavdiev would fire a shot past Bjorklund which finds the back of the net four minutes into the final frame giving the ‘Canes a 2-goal lead. As the Tigers pulled their goaltender to add an extra attacker in the final 2 minutes, Hall would seal the deal for the ‘Canes with an empty netter and his second career hat-trick making it 6-3 ‘Canes.
The Hurricanes outshot the Tigers 32-27 in the game. Lethbridge was ¼ on the powerplay as the Tigers went 0/2 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #9 Justin Hall (3 goals, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes- #17 Jett Jones (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) Tigers – #34 Andrew Basha (1 goal)
The win for the Hurricanes improved their record to 2-1-0-0 since their return to play from the Covid pause. It also brought their record to 14-14-2-0 on the season and are now 6-3-1-0 in their last 10 games.
The ‘Canes will wrap up their 3-and-3 weekend back the ENMAX Centre on Sunday, as the welcome the Central Division leading Edmonton Oil Kings at 6:00pm.
-Brynna Doucette
