Hurricanes Drop Second Straight
Moose Jaw, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes wrapped up a stretch of three straight games away from home on Wednesday in Moose Jaw and the Warriors earned a 4-1 victory.
Brady Pouteau, who was acquired earlier Wednesday from the Regina Pats, made his Hurricanes debut wearing number 28 in the game. Fifteen-year-old Nolan Jones also drew into the line-up in his hometown.
It was a bit of a sluggish first period for both teams. The Warriors had the best of the chances early and were able to jump out to a 1-0 lead at the 6:05 mark as Luka Burzan jumped on a rebound and put it up and over an outstretched Stuart Skinner – Josh Thrower picked up the lone assist. Hurricanes had some chances as well in the period but didn’t challenge Zach Sawchenko with many difficult chances. Both teams were 0/1 on the power play in the first period as the Warriors led the shots 10-6 in the first period.
The teams traded goals in the second period. The Warriors made it a 2-0 lead at the 11:51 mark as Jayden Halbgewachs swept home his league-leading 32nd of the season to put the Warriors up a pair – Brett Howden and former Hurricane Brayden Burke picked up the helpers. The ‘Canes answered back less than five minutes later as Ryan Bowen centered to Brennan Riddle who pinched in and scored his second of the season to make it 2-1 after forty minutes of play. Hurricanes outshot the Warriors 13-8 in the second period.
The Hurricanes peppered Sawchenko in the third period outshooting the Warriors 23-6, but it was Moose Jaw added two more goals. Halbgewachs scored his second of the night at the 4:49 mark putting the Warriors ahead 3-1. Hurricanes pulled the goalie with hopes of tying the game, but Halbgewachs completed his hat-trick into the empty net sealing a 4-1 win for the Warriors.
The Hurricanes outshot the Warriors 42-24 on the night. ‘Canes went 0/5 on the power play while the Warriors went 0/3.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Warriors – #31 Zach Sawchenko – 41 saves
2) Warriors – #12 Jayden Halbgewachs – 3 goals
3) Warriors – #19 Brayden Burke – 2 assists
The Hurricanes have now dropped back-to-back games and fall to 20-15-3-2 on the season. The ‘Canes will look to bounce back as they return to Lethbridge Friday night to kick off a two game home-stand as they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:00pm.
(Photo Credit: Marc Smith, DiscoverMooseJaw.com)
