Hurricanes End Losing Streak in Convincing Fashion
Regina, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continued a four-game road trip on Friday with a 6-2 victory over Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre.
It marked the final of two trips for the Hurricanes to Regina to face the Pats. Lethbridge had a great start to the game as they outshot Regina early in the game. The ‘Canes had a five-on-three power play opportunity and despite a few good chances Lethbridge failed to capitalize with the extra man as the game stayed scoreless. The Hurricanes eventually opened the scoring as the 14:15 mark as Tristen Doyle wired home his first goal of the season – ending a 41-game goal drought dating back to last season – as he beat Kelton Pyne over the blocker to make it 1-0; Kash Andresen and Noah Chadwick earned the assists on the goal. Just over three minutes later, the ‘Canes struck again when Sean Tschigerl netted his second goal in as many games and his 21st goal of the year in his 250th career game to make it a 2-0 Lethbridge lead; Leo Braillard and Braeden Wynne were credited with the assists on the goal. The ‘Canes outshot the Pats 12-7 in the first period and lead by two after twenty minutes of play.
The Hurricanes had a great start to the second period hemming the Pats into their zone for the first two-and-a-half minutes but couldn’t add to their lead early as Pyne turned aside a few good chances for the ‘Canes. Regina pushed back at the midway point of the frame as their captain Tanner Howe had a great look, but a shot was turned aside by Harrison Meneghin – who made his 70th career appearance – to keep the game 2-0. Miguel Marques had a penalty shot at the 11:14 mark as he was slashed on a breakaway by Keagan Slaney but on the penalty shot, Pyne turned aside the ‘Canes leading scorer. Just over five minutes later, Marques got his revenge jamming home a loose puck at the side of the net for his 19th goal – and 50th point – of the season to make it a 3-0 lead; Tschigerl and Braillard picked up the helpers on the goal. Shots were even 8-8 in the second period while the ‘Canes held the edge 20-15 through forty minutes of play.
In the third, the Hurricanes continued to press and carry the play on the Pats as they generated the better chances. Regina looked to get on the board with their first power play opportunity, but Meneghin turned aside all three Pats shots on the man advantage. Lethbridge added to their lead with a power play goal at the 12:18 mark as Logan Wormald tucked home his 12th goal of the season to make it a 4-0 lead; Brayden Edwards earned his 100th career point on the play with an assist while Noah Chadwick picked up the secondary helper. The Pats broke the shutout bid at the 13:20 mark when Tanner Howe redirected a centering pass for his 22nd of the season. Regina added another while shorthanded just over three minutes later when Tye Spencer banged home a rebound for his 12th goal of the year to make it a 4-2 game. The Hurricanes answered back with a power play goal just 29-seconds later as Dylan Sydor tipped home his fourth goal in his last four games and team-leading 23rd goal of the year to make it a 5-2 game; Edwards and Marques picked up the helpers on the goal. The ‘Canes rounded out the scoring with a late goal by Hayden Pakkala who jammed home a loose puck for his first as a Hurricane to make it a 6-2 final; Joe Arntsen and Luke Cozens picked up the assists on the goal.
Lethbridge outshot Regina 17-9 in the third period while holding the edge 37-24 in the contest. The Hurricanes went 2/4 on the power play while the Pats went 0/1 in the contest.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #16 Sean Tschigerl (1 goal, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #9 Tristen Doyle (1 goal)
3) Pats – #19 Tye Spencer (1 goal)
The victory for the Hurricanes ended a two-game losing streak as they improved to 9-11-0-0 on the road while they earned just their second win against East Division opponents this season improving to 2-6-1-0 this year. Lethbridge’s overall record lifted to 21-18-3-0 on the season.
The Hurricanes will end their four-game road trip on Saturday at 6:00pm MT in Brandon against the Wheat Kings. The ‘Canes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, January 26th when they welcome the Regina Pats at 7:00pm on Brent Seabrook Wall of Honour night. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
