Hurricanes Drop 3-2 Decision to Blades on Wednesday
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a two-game homestand on Wednesday with a 3-2 loss to the Saskatoon Blades at the ENMAX Centre.
The Hurricanes returned home after splitting a pair of games in Saskatchewan. Lethbridge had yet another great start to the game controlling the first period outshooting Saskatoon 9-8 in the opening frame. The ‘Canes opened the scoring at the 12:49 mark when Jett Jones tipped home his team-leading fourth goal of the season to make it 1-0; Tyson Laventure and Tyson Zimmer earned the assists on the goal. Saskatoon has a late power play opportunity in the first period but the ‘Canes were able to keep the Blades from cashing in.
Lethbridge picked up where they left off to open the second period as they kept the Blades hemmed in their own zone for the first five minutes but were unable to solve Ethan Chadwick to extend their lead. The Blades pulled even on a turnover behind the net and Trevor Wong snapped home his second goal of the season to even the score 1-1. Just under two minutes later, Lethbridge restored their lead as Dustin Renas netted his first WHL goal potting a rebound to make it 2-1 ‘Canes at the 9:33 mark; Joe Arntsen and Chase Pauls picked up the helpers. Saskatoon tied the game for the second time with a power play goal by Jayden Wiens at 12:48 making it 2-2. The tie lasted just under four minutes as the Blades took their first lead of the game when Brandon Lisowsky pick-potted a Hurricanes defenceman and scored his third goal in two games on a breakaway as Saskatoon led 3-2 after forty minutes. The Blades outshot the Hurricanes 16-14 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Blades locked things down only allowing eight shots on goal. The Hurricanes had a glorious opportunity to tie the game when Tyson Zimmer stole a loose puck behind the Saskatoon net and attempted a wraparound to tie but the Blade netminder slid backwards into the crease to make the save. Jared Picklyk, who stopped 26 of Saskatoon’s 29 shots in the game, made some great saves in the third period to keep the ‘Canes to within a goal. Lethbridge had a late power play in the game and pulled the goaltender for a six-on-four attack but were unable to find an equalizer as Saskatoon hung on to the 3-2 victory.
Shots in the game favoured the Hurricanes 31-29, marking just the second time this season Lethbridge surpassed the 30-shot plateau. The ‘Canes went 0/3 on the power play while the Blades were 1/3 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Blades – #33 Ethan Chadwick (27-saves)
2) Blades – #38 Trevor Wong (1 goal)
3) ‘Canes – #16 Dustin Renas (1st WHL goal)
The loss for the Hurricanes was their fifth defeat in their last seven games having gone 2-5-0-0 in that span. Lethbridge falls to 2-2-0-0 at home this season, having lost two straight at the ENMAX Centre. The Hurricanes now sit with a 4-6-0-0 overall on the year.
Lethbridge will welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday, October 21st at 7:00pm. Individual game tickets can be purchased in person at the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, the Yates Memorial Theatre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) and online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.
