Hurricanes Explode in Third En Route to 7-3 Win Over Warriors
Moose Jaw, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a three-game road trip on Friday with a 7-3 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
The game marked the first of a stretch where the Hurricanes will play nine games in nine different cities. The ‘Canes had a great start to the game as they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead scoring on the opening shift as Hayden Pakkala redirected home his second goal of the season just 27-seconds into the game; Tristen Doyle and Noah Chadwick earned the assists. Lethbridge kept their foot on the gas in the opening period outshooting Moose Jaw 13-9 and they would add to their lead with 2:21 remaining when Logan Wormald scored his team-leading 10th goal on a breakaway while four-on-four to give the ‘Canes a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes of play; Doyle picked up the lone assist on the goal.
The Warriors chipped away at the Hurricanes lead in the middle frame to draw the game even after two periods. Moose Jaw struck with a five-on-three power play when Warriors captain Brayden Yager scored his ninth goal of the season to make it 2-1 at the 8:50 mark; Lynden Lakovic and Kalem Parker earned the assists on the goal. Just under four-minutes later, the Warriors tied the game with another power play goal as Owen Berge ripped home his seventh goal to make it 2-2; Yager earned the only assist on the equalizing goal. Lethbridge was outshot 14-5 in the second period by Moose Jaw.
In the third period, the Hurricanes exploded for three goals in the first 1:43 of the frame. Lethbridge pulled in front 20-seconds in to take a 3-2 lead as Shane Smith had a point shot deflect by Jackson Unger for his third goal; Doyle and Kooper Gizowski earned the assists on the go-ahead goal. Just 19-seconds later, the ‘Canes struck again when Brayden Edwards stuffed home his eighth of the year to quickly make it 4-2 in the opening minute. Lethbridge kept the foot on the gas striking again at the 1:43 mark as Chadwick wired home his third from Smith and Gizowski to blow open a three-goal lead. At the 7:43 mark, the Hurricanes made it 6-3 as Edwards hooked home his second of the period from Sharpe and Doyle. Moose Jaw pressed back with a goal at the 10:10 mark by former Hurricane Aiden Ziprick was snapped home his third of the year to cut the lead to two, but the Hurricanes restored their four-goal lead with a beautiful goal on the power play to make it 7-3 Lethbridge.
The Hurricanes outshot the Warriors 14-5 in the third period and 32-28 in the game. Lethbridge went 1/3 on the power play while Moose Jaw was 2/4 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #9 Tristen Doyle (4 assists)
2) ‘Canes – #10 Shane Smith (2 goals, 1 assist)
3) Warriors – #29 Brayden Yager (1 goal, 1 assist)
The win for the Hurricanes was their second-straight victory as they ended a four-game road losing streak. Lethbridge road record improved to 2-4-0-0 on the season while their overall record lifted to 10-5-1-0 on the year. The ‘Canes are now 2-0-0-0 against the Warriors this season.
The Hurricanes will continue their three-game road trip on Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm MT as they visit the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre before facing the Brandon Wheat Kings on Remembrance Day on Monday at 1:30pm MT. Lethbridge will return home on Saturday, November 16th to welcome the Victoria Royals at 6:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre or VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.
