Hurricanes End Losing Streak in Style; Thump Pats 6-2
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended an eight-game losing streak on Friday with a 6-2 victory over the Regina Pats at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
Lethbridge welcomed Regina for the first time this season as they faced off for just the second time this year in the second of a four-game homestand for the Hurricanes. The ‘Canes had a great start to the game jumping out to a 1-0 lead just 2:10 into the game when Oli Chenier buried his first as a Hurricane to give Lethbridge the early advantage; Jake Evans and Matteo Fabrizi earned the assists on the goal which saw over 4,300 pairs of socks tossed on the ice in the first annual Sock Toss. Regina tied the game at the 10:56 mark when Dayton Deschamps swatted home a bouncing puck in front of the net for his first goal of the season to make it a 1-1 game. The Hurricanes answered back just 2:02 later when Chenier buried his second of the period on a shorthanded breakaway to restore the Lethbridge lead as the ‘Canes led 2-1 after twenty minutes of play. Shots favoured the Hurricanes 11-8 in the opening period.
The second period was a tale of two tapes as the Pats dominated the first ten minutes outshooting the Hurricanes handily and pulled even with a power play goal. Regina tied the game 2-2 on the 21st goal of the season for Caden Brown at the 8:49 mark; Reese Hamilton and Ellis Mieyette picked up the assists on the equalizing goal. Lethbridge flipped the tables in the second half of the period as they pulled back in front on a goal by Andrew Petruk who potted his fourth of the year setting a new career-high giving the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead; Will Scott earned the lone assist on the goal. The ‘Canes added to their lead on a power play goal when Kade Duell wired his team-leading 12th goal of the year just 1:20 after the Petruk goal; Kayden Longley and Easton Daneault were credited with the assists on the tally. Regina changed netminders after the Duell goal as Taylor Tabashniuk was replaced by Marek Schlenker. On the first shot Schlenker faced, Tyden Lafournaise ripped home his eighth goal of the season on a two-on-one to make it a 5-2 Lethbridge lead; Longley and Kyle Heger picked up the helpers on the goal. Lethbridge was outshot 15-10 in the second period.
Regina outshot the Lethbridge 9-4 in the third period as they pressed to cut into the Hurricanes lead. The Pats had a great chance midway through the period when Matyas Ubl cut into the slot and ripped a shot that Cleaver turned away with his left leg. Lethbridge added a late goal on a power play when Lukas Lima redirected a pass home for his first WHL goal with 1:02 remaining in the game; Evans and Chenier earned the assists on the goal which rounded out a 6-2 victory for the Hurricanes. The six goals marked the first time since November 28th that Lethbridge struck at least five times in a game.
The Hurricanes were outshot 32-25 in the contest by the Pats. Lethbridge went 2/5 on the power play while Regina was 1/6 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #19 Oli Chenier (2 goals, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #23 Matteo Fabrizi (2 assists)
3) ‘Canes – #30 Koen Cleaver (30-saves)
The win for the Hurricanes ended a season-long eight game losing streak as they earned their first victory since January 2nd against the Swift Current Broncos. The Hurricanes ended a four-game home losing streak with the victory which improved Lethbridge’s home record to 8-15-0-1 this year while their overall record lifted to 13-33-0-1 on the year.
The Hurricanes will continue their four-game homestand on Wednesday, January 28th when they welcome the Saskatoon Blades at 7:00pm before ending the homestand on Friday, January 30th against the Calgary Hitmen. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting the VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.
