Hurricanes Ended Losing Streak with 6-3 Win Over Warriors
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a two-game homestand on Wednesday with a 6-3 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors at the ENMAX Centre.
It marked the fourth meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Warriors. Lethbridge had a great start to the game as they opened the scoring just 1:15 into the game when Leo Braillard ripped home his 10th goal of the season to make it 1-0; the goal ending a nine-game goal drought – Sean Tschigerl earned the lone assist on the goal. Moose Jaw responded just 1:22 later when Jagger Firkus jammed home a rebound for his 42nd goal and league-leading 95th point of the season to make it 1-1 just 2:37 into the game. The Hurricanes pulled back in front at the 8:52 mark when Tristen Doyle scored his third of the season on a wrist-shot from the right point to make it a 2-1 game. Both the Hurricanes and Warriors had power play opportunities in the back-half of the period and despite good pressure neither team was able to strike with the extra man. The Warriors outshot the Hurricanes 14-13 in the first period as Lethbridge held a one-goal lead.
The Hurricanes kept their foot on the gas early in the second period adding to their lead as Doyle jumped in and drove the net before jamming home a loose puck to make it a 3-1 Lethbridge lead; it was the second of the game for Doyle who scored his first WHL multi-goal game – Miguel Marques and Brayden Edwards earned the assists on the goal. The ‘Canes made it a 4-1 game just over three-minutes later when Wormald buried his 15th of the campaign on a power play as Wormald struck for the second time in as many games; Tschigerl was credited with the lone assist on the goal that chased Warriors’ goaltender Evan May who was replaced by Jackson Unger. Moose Jaw scored back-to-back power play goals just six-minutes apart as Matthew Savoie netted his 18th of the year before Firkus potted his second of the night to make it a one-goal game. Late in the period, the Hurricanes restored a two-goal lead when Marques finished a three-way passing play for his 24th goal of the year to make it 5-3 after forty minutes; Edwards and Wormald picked up the helpers on the goal. The Hurricanes outshot the Warriors 13-11 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Warriors held the edge in shot 9-6. Lethbridge added to their last at the midway point of the period when Braillard stole a puck and wired home his second goal of the game – and 11th of the season – to make it a 6-3 lead for the Hurricanes; Doyle and Tschigerl each earned their third point on the goal with the assists. Moose Jaw had a pair of power play opportunities in the third period, but the Hurricanes penalty kill was able to kill off both looks as they hung on to their first win in 19-days.
The Hurricanes were outshot 34-32 in the contest. Lethbridge went 1/3 on the power play while Moose Jaw went 2/6 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #9 Tristen Doyle (2 goals, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #28 Leo Braillard (2 goals)
3) Warriors – #27 Jagger Firkus (2 goals)
The victory for the Hurricanes ended their season-long seven game losing streak while it improved their home-ice record to 8-1-3-0 in their last 12 games at the ENMAX Centre. Lethbridge’s home record improved to 16-7-5-0 on the season with their overall record improving to 25-25-5-0 on the year. The ‘Canes are now 2-2-0-0 against the Warriors this season.
The Hurricanes will end a two-game homestand on Friday when they welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings at the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm before beginning a three-game road trip on Sunday afternoon in Calgary against the Hitmen at Scotiabank Saddledome. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
