Hurricanes Edge Blades 3-1
Saskatoon, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continued their four-game in five-night road trip Wednesday with a 3-1 win in Saskatoon against the Blades.
The Hurricanes had a strong start to the hockey game as they kept the Blades hemmed in their own zone but were unable to capitalize early. The ‘Canes were assessed a penalty as Calen Addison was penalized for two minutes. While the Blades failed to score, the power play shifted the momentum in the game. Saskatoon, after great chances were foiled by Carl Tetachuk, opened the scoring with just 52 seconds left in the period as Tristen Robins snapped home his third of the season to make it 1-0. The lead lasted just 35 seconds as Jadon Joseph banged home a rebound with 17.2 seconds left in the period to tie the game 1-1 after twenty minutes of play; Ty Kolle drew the lone assist on the goal. Lethbridge was outshot 17-8 in the opening frame.
Lethbridge was the better team in the second period after killing off a five-on-three early in the middle frame that saw the Blades have three grade-A scoring chances but failed to capitalize. The ‘Canes failed to capitalize on a pair of power play chances themselves in the middle frame as neither team found the net in the second period. Lethbridge held the edge in shots 14-8 in the second stanza.
The ‘Canes started the third period with a power play opportunity with Dawson Davidson in the penalty box but they were unable to cash in on the man advantage. Lethbridge pulled ahead as Kolle snapped home his fifth goal of the season at the 3:17 mark to make it 2-1 ‘Canes; Keltie Jeri-Leon earned the lone assist on the tally. Blades pulled the goaltender later in the game and the Hurricanes would seal the win as Jackson Shepard would pot his first goal as a Hurricane with an empty-net goal to snap a 34-game goalless drought to make it a 3-1 final; Kolle earned the lone assist on the goal to complete a three-point night.
Shots in the third period favoured the Blade 11-6 as they outshot the ‘Canes 36-28 in the game. Lethbridge went 0/5 on the power play but were 7/7 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #35 Tetachuk (35 saves)
2) Blades – #73 Nolan Maier (25 saves)
3) ‘Canes – #6 Ty Prefontaine
The win for the Hurricanes ends the Blades four-game winning streak and evens their record to 1-1-0-0 in the first two games of this four-game in five-night road trip. The ‘Canes improve 10-8-2-2 on the season with the victory.
The Hurricanes continue their road trip on Friday in Brandon against the Wheat Kings at 6:30pm MT. The ‘Canes will be back at the ENMAX Centre on Friday, November 30th when they welcome the Swift Current Broncos on the Annual Toque and Teddy Toss! Tickets are available online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre and Yates Ticket Centre’s.
