Hurricanes Edge Pats 4-3 in a Shootout on Sunday
Regina, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended a two-game road trip on Sunday afternoon with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre.
The Hurricanes had a good start to the game getting a few early chances but couldn’t solve Pats goaltender Matthew Kieper. Regina appeared to score the opening goal of the game when Braxton Whitehead slipped one through the legs of Harrison Meneghin, but the goal was disallowed due to contact with the goaltender. The ‘Canes struck first off the rush when Jett Jones snapped home his third goal of the season at the 12:49 mark to make it 1-0; Tyson Zimmer and Nolan Bentham earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge doubled their lead just over three-and-a-half minutes later as Hayden Smith buried his first of the year beating Kieper over the blocker to make it 2-0 ‘Canes after one period. The Pats outshot the Hurricanes 7-6 in the first period.
Lethbridge kept the foot on the throttle early in the second period hemming the Pats in their zone for the first four minutes of the period but failed to add to their lead. Regina pushed back in the middle of the period and had a great look as Connor Bedard ripped the underside of the crossbar from a sharp angle. The ‘Canes added to their lead at the 11:33 mark when Smith banged home a centering pass for this second goal of the game – and first career multi-goal game – to make it 3-0; Tristan Zandee and Noah Chadwick were credited with the assists. The Pats had a great chance to get on the board in the final minute of the period with a three-on-one but Meneghin pushed across to rob Easton Armstrong on a one-time opportunity to keep it 3-0 after two periods.
Early in the third period, the Pats broke the shutout bid of Meneghin as Cole Dubinsky snapped home a loose puck in front of the net at the 2:05 mark to make it a 3-1 game; Tye Spencer and Tanner Brown earned the assists on the goal. Just over six minutes later, Regina pulled to within one as Luke Bateman snapped home his first goal on a rebound to make it 3-2 at the 8:15 mark. Just 1:24 later, the Pats tied the game as Connor Bedard centered to Tanner Howe who tapped home the equalizer to make it a 3-3 game. Both teams had some chances late in the third but couldn’t find a go-ahead goal as the game went to overtime.
In the extra session, the Hurricanes and Pats traded chances in the overtime period, the best chance a clear-cut breakaway for Alexander Suzdalev who was turned aside by Meneghin to keep the game tied. Neither team could find the winner in the overtime period as the game went to a shootout. After the first seven shooters failed to score, Zimmer was able to deke out Kieper to find the winning goal to give the ‘Canes a 4-3 shootout victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 24-22 in the contest. Lethbridge was 0/4 on the power play while Regina was 0/1 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #21 Tyson Zimmer (1 assist, shootout winner)
2) Pats – #18 Cole Dubinsky (1 goal)
3) ‘Canes – #22 Hayden Smith (2 goals)
The win for the Hurricanes ended a two-game losing streak and a three-game road losing streak. The ‘Canes improved to 4-5-0-0 on the season while improving to 2-4-0-0 away from home. The victory also ended a two-game losing streak to the Pats dating back to last year.
The ‘Canes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Wednesday, October 19th when they welcome the Saskatoon Blades. 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.
