Hurricanes Come From Behind, Beat Pats 5-4 in OT
Regina, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes earned a come-from-behind 5-4 overtime victory on Saturday in Regina against the Pats at the Brandt Centre.
It was a strong first period for the Pats who outshot the Hurricanes 19-6 in the opening frame and held a 2-0 lead. Regina opened the scoring just 3:42 into the game as the February WHL Player of the Month Connor Bedard ripped home his 34th goal of the season to make it 1-0. The Pats doubled their lead when Braxton Whitehead tipped a point shot by Bryan Thomson to make it 2-0 after the first period. It was the second-most shots allowed in the opening period this season.
Regina added to their lead early in the second when Tye Spencer made it 3-0 just 4:37 into the period. The Hurricanes answered back with a power play goal as Corson Hopwo ripped home his 10th goal of the season at the 7:34 mark to get the ‘Canes on the board – Joe Arntsen and Liekit Reichle picked up the helpers. Just under five minutes later, Lethbridge struck again on a delayed penalty as Ty Nash buried a long-range wrist shot passed Drew Sim for his 17th of the year to make it one-goal game. Before the period was out, the Pats restored a two-goal lead as Tanner Howe fired home a back-hand to make it 4-2 Regina after forty minutes of play. Regina held the shot advantage 9-8 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Hurricanes started with an early power play and just 1:13 into the frame Jett Jones scored his 15th goal of the year scoring for the third straight game finishing on a two-on-one rush; Yegor Klavdiev and Logan McCutcheon picked up the helpers on the goal. Regina had a power play midway through the period as they peppered the Hurricanes but both Thomson and Arntsen – who blocked five shots on one sequence – stood tall to keep the deficit just one. Late in the period, the Hurricanes pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker and struck to tie the game as Jones tapped home his second goal of the season to tie the game 4-4 with 38-seconds left in regulation; Klavdiev and Alex Thacker earned the helpers on the equalizer.
In the overtime period, the Pats Neithan Salame was assessed a hooking penalty on a two-on-one rish resulting on a power play. On the ensuing man advantage, Justin Hall tipped home his team-leading 29th goal of the year and eighth game-winning goal – second in overtime – to lift the ‘Canes to a 5-4 comeback victory – Klavdiev and Thacker earned the assists on the game-winning goal.
The Hurricanes were outshot 35-27 in the game. Lethbridge was 3/5 on the power play while going a perfect 7/7 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #9 Justin Hall (1 goal)
2) ‘Canes – #17 Jett Jones (2 goals)
3) Pats – #19 Tye Spencer (1 goal, 1 assist)
The win for the Hurricanes was their 11th come-from-behind win of the season as they improve to 2-1-0-0 on the road trip through three games. Lethbridge has now posted a 3-1-0-0 record in their last four games improving to 23-25-2-1 on the season while holding down sole-possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
The Hurricanes continue their road trip in Prince Albert on Tuesday at 6:00pm before visiting the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday. The Hurricanes will return to the ENMAX Centre on March 16th when the welcome the Regina Pats at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com or in person at the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
