Hurricanes Double Tigers to End ENMAX Pre-Season

Medicine Hat, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended the 2024 ENMAX Pre-Season on Sunday afternoon with a 6-3 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers at Co-op Place.

It was the final of the ‘Canes four-game exhibition schedule. Medicine Hat had two early power play opportunities in the first half of the period, but Lethbridge was strong on the penalty kill allowing just two shots on the two power plays. The Hurricanes had a great chance to open the scoring while shorthanded when Kash Andresen had a partial breakaway but lost the handle on the puck before he could get a shot away. Lethbridge did strike first at the 12:40 mark when Carsen Adair potted his first goal of the pre-season with a point-shot that deflected passed Tiger goaltender Zach Zahara to make it 1-0; Kooper Gizowski earned the lone assist on the goal. Just under four-minutes later, the Tigers tied the game when Bryce Pickford rifled a shot low-blocker passed Brady Smith to make it 1-1 while four-on-four; Jonas Woo was credited with the assist on the goal. The Hurricanes had a late look in the final minute to pull back in front when Leo Braillard one-timed a shot off the goal post. Lethbridge outshot Medicine Hat 11-6 in the first period as the game was tied 1-1 after twenty minutes of play.

Medicine Hat took their first lead early in the second period when Mathew Ward fired home his first of the pre-season ripping a shot to the top corner on a breakaway just 5:14 into the period; the goal came as Ward’s roughing penalty expired and was unassisted. Lethbridge pulled back even just under two-minutes later when Braillard had a centering pass deflect in off the skate of a Tigers defenceman to tie the game 2-2; Andresen earned the lone assist on the goal. The Hurricanes took the lead at the 9:26 mark when Gizowski buried his second of the exhibition season on a one-timer on a beautiful three-way passing play to give the ‘Canes a 3-2 advantage; Kai Anderson and Trae Johnson picked up the helpers on the tally. Lethbridge almost doubled their lead with a strong chance at in the final five minutes, but Gizowski hit a crossbar keeping it a one-goal game. The ‘Canes outshot the Tigers 9-8 in the middle frame and held the 3-2 advantage.

In the third period, the Tigers started with 54-seconds remaining in a Will Sharpe roughing penalty from late in the second, but Medicine Hat was unable to strike with the man advantage. Lethbridge had their second opportunity with the extra man, but despite good pressure failed to add to their lead. The Tigers tied the game at the 6:38 mark when Pickford snapped home his second goal of the game to tie the game 3-3; Woo and Avery Watson were credited with the assists on the equalizer. Near the midway point of the period, the Tigers were given another power play when Sharpe was assessed a slashing penalty. On the power play, Medicine Hat had a great chance to pull ahead on a back-door chance for Jack Kachkowski, but Smith slid across to make a terrific stick save to preserve the tie. With 5:18 remaining in regulation, the Hurricanes broke the tie as Will Scott cut to the net and had a back hand shot deflected through Zahara to make it 4-3; Gizowski and Tristen Doyle picked up the assists on the goal. The ‘Canes struck again just 13-seconds later to make it 5-3 as a Logan McCutcheon point-shot was redirected in front of the net by Gavin Lesiuk for his first goal of the pre-season. After a penalty to Pickford put the Hurricanes up a man, Lethbridge made good striking again in quick succession as Braillard buried his second of the night – and third of the pre-season – finishing on a tic-tac-toe passing play and to blow the game wide open 6-3; Andresen and Logan Wormald picked up the assists on the goal.

The Hurricanes outshot the Tigers 7-6 in the third period and held the edge 28-20 in the game. Lethbridge went 1/4 with the power play while going 5/5 on the penalty kill in the game.

Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #15 Kooper Gizowski (1 goal, 2 assists)
2) Tigers – #27 Bryce Pickford (2 goals)
3) ‘Canes – #31 Brady Smith (17-saves)

The victory lifted the Hurricanes record to 2-2-0-0 in the pre-season. Lethbridge ended with a 1-1-0-0 record both on the road and at home. The ‘Canes two wins both came against the Tigers.

The Hurricanes will open the 2024-2025 regular season on Friday, September 20^th when they welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:00pm to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena in the Dairy Queen Home Opener. Tickets for the home opener can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre or VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.

Season Tickets for the 2024-2025 Hurricanes regular season are still available, including the new premium season ticket. Season Tickets can be purchased by visiting the VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.