Hurricanes Dump Wheat Kings 7-4; Take 3-1 Series Lead
Brandon, MB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes played Game 5 of their second round series with the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday and took a 3-1 series lead as they earned a 7-4 victory at Westoba Place.
The Hurricanes came out firing in the first period as they quickly took a 1-0 lead as Brad Morrison dangled his way to the net before slipping it by Dylan Myskiw to give the ‘Canes an early lead just 1:50 into the game; Jadon Joseph and Tate Olson picked up the assists. The ‘Canes made it 2-0 as Jake Elmer scored his third of the playoffs from Morrison at the 5:11 mark. Lethbridge kept peppering the Brandon goaltender as Dylan Cozens tipped home his fourth of the playoffs from Jordy Bellerive and Taylor Ross to make it 3-0. Less than two minutes later, the ‘Canes struck again as Morrison snapped home his 10th goal of the playoffs and second of the period to make it 4-0 Hurricanes after twenty minutes of play. The Wheat Kings outshot the Hurricanes 10-8 in the first period.
The Wheat Kings peppered the Hurricanes early in the second period and got on the board at the 3:38 mark as Marcus Sekundiak snapped home his fifth of the playoffs to make it a 4-1 Lethbridge lead. Ty Lewis was assessed a penalty shot at the 5:29 mark but was stopped by Logan Flodell with the blocker. Brandon pulled to within two as Luka Burzan scored his fifth of the playoffs to make it 4-2. The Wheaties got within one as Stelio Mattheos scored on a delayed power play to make it a 4-3 Hurricanes advantage. The ‘Canes answered back as Zane Franklin scored his first of the WHL Playoffs a Logan Barlage centering pass went off Franklin and passed Myskiw to make it a 5-3 Lethbridge lead after forty minutes of play. The ‘Canes were outshot 14-11 in the second period and 24-19 through two periods.
The Hurricanes built on their lead just 1:37 into the third period as Elmer used his speed to pull away from the defenseman and open up Myskiw before slipping home his second of the night to make it 6-3 for the ‘Canes. Brandon pulled back to within two as Lewis would flip home his sixth of the playoffs on a goal-mouth scramble to make it 6-4 but Barlage picked up his third of the playoffs to make it a 7-4 final.
Shots were even 8-8 in the third period while Brandon held the edge 32-27 in the hockey game. The ‘Canes and Wheat Kings were both 0/2 on the power play in the game.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #19 Brad Morrison (2 goals, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #20 Jake Elmer (2 goals, 1 assist)
3) Wheat Kings – #14 Ty Lewis (1 goal, 1 assist)
The win for the Hurricanes gives them a 3-1 series advantage as they travel home for Game 5 on Friday night at the ENMAX Centre.
The Hurricanes and Wheat Kings will return to Lethbridge for Game 5 on Friday night at the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm. The ‘Canes will be donating all proceeds of the 50/50 draw on Friday to the Humboldt Broncos following their tragedy last Friday. Tickets for Game 5 are on sale online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
