Hurricanes End Losing Streak with Overtime Victory Over Americans
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended a four-game losing streak on Saturday with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Tri-City Americans at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
The Hurricanes entered on a four-game losing streak which matched a season-long slide as they played the second of a four-game homestand. Lethbridge had a good start to the game as they jumped out a 1-0 lead at the 5:42 mark as Hudson Kibblewhite scored his seventh goal of the season on a two-on-one as he tallied for the second-straight game; Kade Duell and Nathan Maloney earned the assists on the goal. The Hurricanes doubled their lead less than three-minutes later when Shane Smith scored his ninth of the year beating Americans goaltender Ryan Grout through the legs to make it 2-0; Logan Wormald and Maloney picked up the helpers on the goal. Lethbridge nearly made it 3-0 late in the period with a great look by Owen Berge, but he ripped a shot off the crossbar keeping it a two-goal lead. The ‘Canes outshot the Americans 9-7 in the first period.
Tri-City found their game in the second period nearly doubling Lethbridge in shots 15-8. The Americans got on the board to cut the ‘Canes lead at the 11:18 mark when David Byrne tapped home a loose puck sitting in the crease for his first WHL goal to cut the lead to 2-1; Carter Kingerski and Jesse McKinnon were credited with the assists on the goal. Lethbridge came close to restoring their two-goal lead in the final minute of the period when Brayden Smith wired a shot off the goal post on a power play as the Hurricanes held a one-goal lead after forty minutes of play.
In the third period, the Americans tied the game in the opening minute when Cruz Pavao intercepted a clearing attempt by Carsen Adair before snapping a shot by Koen Cleaver to tie it 2-2 just 59-seconds into the stanza. Just over three-minutes later, the Hurricanes pulled back in front when Adair snapped home his second goal of the season – and second in as many games – beating Grout glove side on a centering pass from Duell to put Lethbridge in front 3-2; Wormald was credited with the secondary assist. Tri-City pulled even again with just 4:17 remaining as Carter Savage had a shot that slipped through Cleaver before it was accidentally tapped in by a ‘Canes defender to tie the game 3-3 sending the game to overtime. The Americans outshot the Hurricanes 7-5 in the third period.
Tri-City had a great sequence early in the overtime but couldn’t get the puck to the net despite some sustained pressure in the Lethbridge zone. The Hurricanes ended the game at the 1:38 mark of overtime as Maloney slipped a pass in front of the net and Shane Smith buried the game-winning goal for his third career overtime winner to lift the ‘Canes to the 4-3 victory; Easton Daneault picked up the second assist on the game-winner. The Hurricanes had the only two shots in overtime.
The Hurricanes were outshot 29-24 in the game by the Americans. Lethbridge went 1/3 on the power play while Tri-City was 0/3 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #18 Logan Wormald (2 assists)
2) ‘Canes – #8 Nathan Maloney (3 assists)
3) Americans – #4 David Byrne (1 goal)
The win for the Hurricanes ended a four-game losing streak as they improved to 2-6-0-1 on home ice this season while evening their record to 1-1-0-0 on a current four-game homestand. Lethbridge’s overall record lifted to 4-12-0-1 on the season. The ‘Canes record improved to 1-1-0-1 in three games against the US Division this year.
The Hurricanes will continue their homestand on Wednesday when they welcome the Prince Albert Raiders at 7:00pm at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena before hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday. 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.ca.
