Hurricanes Come From Behind, Beat Hitmen 3-2 in Shootout
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes earned their second straight victory over the Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday as they earned a come-from-behind 3-2 shootout victory at the ENMAX Centre.
It was the fourth meeting of the season between the ‘Canes and Hitmen and Calgary – who had lost back-to-back overtime games – had a strong start to the contest as they outshot the Hurricanes 12-7 in the opening frame. The ‘Canes had an early double-minor power play as Sean Tschigerl was assessed a slew-footing penalty but the Hitmen gave the Hurricanes nothing on the man advantage. Calgary struck to open the scoring at the 13:18 mark when Oliver Tulk scored his first of two in the contest beating Bryan Thomson to make it 1-0 Hitmen after twenty minutes.
Early in the second period, Tulk struck again just 4:24 into the frame to double the Calgary lead. The ‘Canes pushed back as just under ten minutes later, Jett Jones scored his sixth of the season cutting in from the right-wing before ripping one by Brayden Peters to cut the Calgary lead in half; Tristan Zandee earned his first point as a Hurricanes while Easton Kovacs was credited with his first WHL point with the assists on the goal. Lethbridge was outshot 15-12 in the middle frame.
At the end of the second period, David Adaszynski was charged with a double-minor penalty for slew-footing and the ‘Canes struck on the power play to start the third period. Justin Hall redirected home his team-leading 10th goal of the season just 2:06 into the period to tie the game 2-2; Logan Wormald and Nolan Bentham picked up the helpers on the goal. Lethbridge outshot Calgary 12-10 in the third period but could not solve Peters for a go-ahead while Thomson stood tall keeping the game tied after sixty minutes.
For the second straight game, the ‘Canes and Hitmen needed extra time. Calgary had the better of the chances in overtime outshooting the Hurricanes 3-1 but neither team could find a winner as the game required a shootout.
In the shootout, after the first four shooters failed to score, Riley Fiddler-Schultz appeared poised to put the Hitmen ahead but Thomson made a miraculous glove save contorting his body to stop the puck. On the ensuing shooter, Logan Barlage – who played in his 250th career WHL game – scored the shootout winner with a deke to the back-hand to give the Hurricanes the 3-2 win.
The Hurricanes were outshot 40-32 in the contest. Lethbridge was 1/5 with the power play while 2/2 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Hitmen – #12 Oliver Tulk (2 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #30 Bryan Thomson (38 saves, 3/3 in shootout)
3) ‘Canes – #17 Jett Jones (1 goal)
The victory for the Hurricanes was their second straight as they have now won five-in-a-row against Calgary dating back to last season. Lethbridge is now 5-2-1-0 in their last eight games and are 10-11-1-0 on the season while improving to 7-4-1-0 at home this year.
The ‘Canes welcome the Red Deer Rebels to the ENMAX Centre on Friday in the second of a three-game homestand. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, the Yates Memorial Theatre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.
