Hurricanes Edge Broncos 3-2 Saturday
Swift Current, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended a two-game losing streak on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over the Swift Current Broncos at Innovation Credit Union i-Plex.
It was the first of seven head-to-head meetings for the Hurricanes and Broncos, and the first of two-straight visits to Swift Current for Lethbridge. Last year, the ‘Canes posted a 2-6-0-0 record against the Broncos, including going 0-4-0-0 in speedy creek.
The Hurricanes got off to a great start as they broke the deadlock early when Joe Arntsen scored his third of the season just 3:44 into the game on a power play to make it 1-0; Tyson Zimmer and Alex Thacker earned the assists on the goal. The goal on the man advantage ended an 0-for-14 stretch for the ‘Canes on the power play. Swift Current answered back with a goal by Adam McNutt from the right point that beat a screened Jared Picklyk to make it 1-1. Shortly after the goal, Picklyk made a pair of great saves on Broncos forward Mathew Ward to keep the game tied. Late in the frame, the ‘Canes pulled ahead with a shorthanded goal by Cole Shepard with just 1:22 to make it 2-1 Lethbridge after twenty minutes of play.
Swift Current pushed to open the second period and found an early equalizer as Josh Davies caught the Hurricanes on a line change and was able to get a great scoring chancel; he was stopped by Picklyk with a great left leg stop but Bronco captain Owen Pickering jammed home the loose puck to make it 2-2 just 5:12 into the middle frame. The Hurricanes pushed back and continue to control the five-on-five play outshooting the Broncos 14-6 in the second period but Reid Dyck was strong in the Swift Current crease as the ‘Canes and Broncos were tied after two periods.
In the third period, the Hurricanes found a go-ahead goal midway through as Shepard snapped home his team-leading fifth goal of the season and second of the game to give Lethbridge a 3-2 advantage with 9:26 remaining; Ross Stanley and Nolan Bentham earned the helpers on the tally. The Broncos pushed after the goal as they rifled 19 shots on goal in the third period but Picklyk was stellar holding off the Swift Current comeback as the ‘Canes hung on to a 3-2 victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 19-7 in the third period and 35-32 in the game. Lethbridge went 1/4 on the power play while Swift Current was 0/4 with the power play
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #27 Cole Shepard (2 goals)
2) Broncos – #17 Josh Davies (2 assists)
3) ‘Canes – #31 Jared Picklyk (33-saves)
The victory for the Hurricanes ended a two-game losing streak as they improved to 3-4-0-0 on the road this season. The win also improved the ‘Canes record to 5-7-0-0 on the year as they remain second place in the Central Division. It was the Hurricanes first win in Swift Current dating back to December 30th, 2019 – a span of 1,027 days.
Lethbridge will visit the Swift Current Broncos again on Wednesday at 7:00pm before returning to the ENMAX Centre to welcome the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday, October 29th 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.
