Hurricanes Down Chiefs 3-2 in Overtime
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continued a four-game homestand on Tuesday with a 3-2 overtime win over the Spokane Chiefs at the ENMAX Centre.
The game marked the debut of newly acquired Hurricanes forwards Sean Tschigerl and Dylan Sydor who played on a line alongside Trae Wilke. The new duo both had great chances to score their first goals as ‘Canes as Sydor was set up in the slot for a great chance at the midway point of the period, but Spokane netminder Dawson Cowan made a great save with the glove to keep the game scoreless. Tschigerl hoped to open the scoring on a breakaway while four-on-four, but Cowan again stood tall. Harrison Meneghin – who made his 30th start of the season – was busy as well as he was forced to make his best save on affiliate player Mathis Preston on a point-blank chance. Spokane outshot Lethbridge 13-12 in the first period that ended scoreless after twenty minutes of play.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring in the second period at the 8:31 mark as Brayden Edwards scored his 18th goal of the season beating Cowan over the blocker with a wrist-shot from the top of the right circle – Miguel Marques was credited with the lone assist on the goal. Just over two minutes later, the ‘Canes added to their lead with a power play goal by Logan Wormald who finished off a three-way passing play to make it 2-0 Lethbridge lead; Marques and Edwards picked up the helpers on the goal. Spokane broke Meneghin’s shutout bid as Berkly Catton extended his point-scoring streak to 13-straight games with his 25th goal of the season to make it 2-1; Chase Bertholet and Conner Roulette earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge was outshot 13-10 in the second period but led 2-1 after forty minutes of play.
In the third period, the Chiefs outshot the ‘Canes 10-9. Cowan continued to stand tall in the Spokane net robbing Joe Arntsen on a one-time slapshot from the top of the left circle with the glove before turning aside Marques on a breakaway chance with just over six-minutes remaining in the game. Shortly after the Marques opportunity, the Chiefs tied the game as Catton danced in and snapped home his second goal of the game with 4:45 remaining to tie the contest 2-2. Neither team found a winner in the dying minutes of the game as the contest went to overtime.
On the first shift of the extra session, Edwards was clipped by a high stick resulting in a power play opportunity for the Hurricanes. On the ensuing man advantage, the ‘Canes found a winner as Noah Chadwick buried a one-timer for his eighth goal of the season – and second overtime winner of the year – just 2:19 into the overtime period; Wormald and Edwards were credited with the assists on the goal as the ‘Canes struck on their only shot in the extra session to earn a 3-2 victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 36-32 in the contest by the Chiefs. Lethbridge went 2/3 on the power play while 2/2 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Chiefs – #27 Berkly Catton (2 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #19 Brayden Edwards (1 goal, 2 assists)
3) Chiefs – #35 Dawson Cowan (29-saves)
The victory for the Hurricanes improved their record to 4-1-1-0 since returning from the Christmas break having collected nine out of a possible 12 points in that span. Lethbridge’s home-ice record improved to 11-7-3-0 on the season as they finish the year with a 3-3-0-0 record against US Division opponents while going 6-5-0-0 against the Western Conference.
The Hurricanes will end a season-long four-game homestand on Friday when they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers in the first of a home-and-home set at 7:00pm at the ENMAX Centre. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
