Hurricanes Down Warriors 4-1 Wednesday
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a two-game homestand on Wednesday with a 4-1 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors at the ENMAX Centre.
The Hurricanes entered on a two-game winning streak after earning weekend wins over Winnipeg and Edmonton. Lethbridge, who was led by Hayden Smith with a career-high four points in a 10-2 win on Sunday, jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the half-way point of the first period on the 10th goal of the season by Smith who had a shot pinball off a defenceman and in; for Smith, his fifth goal on a three-game point streak. The ‘Canes doubled their lead on a power play goal as Blake Swetlikoff redirected a Nolan Bentham point-shot passed Warriors goaltender Connor Ungar to make it 2-0; the goal was waived off on the ice, but after video review Swetlikoff was credited with his ninth goal of the season. Moose Jaw outshot Lethbridge 13-11 in the first period, but the ‘Canes held the two-goal lead.
Early in the second period, the ‘Canes added to their lead as Anton Astashevich was sprung on a two-on-one. After attempting to pass, the puck came right back to Astashevich who roofed his sixth goal of the season to make it 3-0 Lethbridge; Swetlikoff earned the lone assist on the goal. The ‘Canes had a great chance to make it 4-0 when Tyson Zimmer set up Swetlikoff back-door, but Ungar slid across to make a great pad save to rob the ‘Canes 19-year-old of his second of the game. Late in the frame, Moose Jaw struck with a power play when Atley Calvert tipped home his team-leading 29th goal of the season to make it 3-1 with just 5:48 remaining in the period; Denton Mateychuk and Brayden Yager earned the assists on the goal as the ‘Canes led by two after two periods. Lethbridge outshot Moose Jaw 16-12 in the middle frame.
The Warriors pressed in the third period outshooting the Hurricanes 11-6 in the final twenty minutes. Moose Jaw had a trio of great chances in the middle part of the period, including a great chance by overage forward Ryder Korczak on a power play but Bryan Thomson – who made 35-saves in the win – made a great stop to keep the ‘Canes in front 3-1. The Warriors pulled the goaltender late in the game, but the Hurricanes added an empty-net goal as Joe Arntsen lifted one home for his eighth of the season to make it a 4-1 final.
The Hurricanes were outshot 36-33 in the contest. Lethbridge went 1/1 on the power play while going 2/3 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #30 Bryan Thomson (35-saves)
2) ‘Canes – #26 Blake Swetlikoff (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) Warriors – #38 Ryder Korczak
The win extended the Hurricanes winning streak to three-straight games as they improved to 6-1-3-1 in their last 11 games. Lethbridge improved to 1-2-0-0 on the season against Moose Jaw while lifting their overall record to 27-16-3-2 on the season.
The victory was also the 50th career win for overage goaltender Bryan Thomson who becomes just the seventh goaltender in Hurricanes history to reach the 50-plateau.
The Hurricanes return to action on Friday when they welcome Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats to the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm. The game is sold out, but can be viewed at Browns Socialhouse in Lethbridge, watched on WHL Live or heard on 106.7 ROCK!
