Hurricanes Edge Raiders 4-3 on Saturday
Prince Albert, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended a three-game road trip on Saturday with a nail-biting 4-3 win over the Prince Albert Raiders at the Art Hauser Centre.
Lethbridge entered just three points back of Prince Albert in the Eastern Conference standings as it marked the final meeting of the season. The Hurricanes had a great start to the game as they opened the scoring just 3:33 into the contest when Brayden Edwards scored his fifth goal in the last three games to make it a 1-0 Lethbridge lead; Dylan Sydor and Noah Chadwick earned the assists on the goal. Prince Albert tied the game just over two minutes later as Ryder Ritchie was credited with his 15th of the season on a puck that just crossed the line. Sydor was buried from behind by Matej Kubiesa who was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for checking from behind; on the ensuing power play, the ‘Canes pulled back in front when Hayden Pakkala banged home a rebound for his 12th goal of the season and first against his former team to give Lethbridge a 2-1 lead; Carter Dereniwsky and Kooper Gizowski picked up the helpers on the season. Pakkala struck again just over five-minutes later on a one-on-one rush as he went through the legs before beating the defenceman wide and wiring a shot off the crossbar and in for his second of the night to give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead after one period. Prince Albert outshot Lethbridge 13-12 in the opening period.
The Hurricanes added to their lead early in the second period on a power play as Sydor – who returned for the start of the middle frame – jammed home a loose puck on a rebound at the side of the goal for his team-leading 12th power play goal and 24th tally of the season give Lethbridge a 4-1 lead; Gizowski and Logan McCutcheon were credited with the assists on the goal. The ‘Canes had another man advantage shortly after the goal and came close to making it a four-goal lead, but Max Hildebrand made a great left elbow save on a shot by Miguel Marques. Prince Albert pressed in the second half of the period and came close to clawing into the Lethbridge lead. The Raiders’ best chance came in the final minute of the period when Aiden Oiring was robbed at the side of the net by the left pad of Harrison Meneghin to keep the game 4-1 in favour of the Hurricanes after two periods. The Raiders outshot the ‘Canes 14-12 in the second period.
In the third period, the Raiders cut the Hurricanes lead in half when Krzysztof Macias redirected a shot passed Meneghin just 1:17 into the frame to pull Prince Albert to 4-2; Niall Crocker and Justice Christensen picked up the assists on the goal. The Raiders kept the Hurricanes pinned generating chance after chance and they would pull to within a goal with 6:40 remaining as Macias buried his second of the period to close the lead to 4-3 for Lethbridge; Turner McMillen and Jacob Hoffrogge were credited with the assists. Prince Albert continued to press in the final five minutes of the game and pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker but couldn’t find an equalizer as the Hurricanes hung on for the 4-3 win and their third straight victory.
The Raiders outshot the Hurricanes 40-28 in the hockey game. Lethbridge went 2/4 on the power play while Prince Albert did not have an opportunity with the man advantage.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Raiders – #34 Krzysztof Macias (2 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #22 Hayden Pakkala (2 goals)
3) ‘Canes – #12 Kooper Gizowski (2 assists)
The win for the Hurricanes was their third-straight road victory as it matched a season-long road winning streak and an overall win streak. Lethbridge improved to 4-1-0-0 in their last five games while their road record lifted to 12-18-0-0 on the season. The ‘Canes overall record improved to 28-26-5-0 on the season as they pulled to within one point of the Raiders for seventh in the Eastern Conference.
Lethbridge will return to the ENMAX Centre on Wednesday, March 6th when they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers at 7:00pm in the first of a two-game homestand. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
