Hurricanes Fall 3-2 in Overtime in Calgary to Hitmen
Calgary, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes suffered a 3-2 overtime loss to the Calgary Hitmen on Tuesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Lethbridge entered on a franchise-long nine-game road winning streak as they made their final regular season visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Oliver Tulk jumped on a loose puck and wired home his team-leading 31st goal of the season just 35-seconds into the game. The Hitmen continued to pepper the Hurricanes, but Jackson Unger was outstanding turning aside 19 of the 20 shots he faced in the period. Lethbridge came close to tying the game on a three-way passing play when Cameron Norrie cut to the net and made a move to the backhand, but Daniel Hauser made a great pad save to keep it 1-0. The ‘Canes tied the game late in the frame with 1:23 left in the first when Luke Cozens snapped home his third goal of the season – and second goal in as many visits to the ’Dome – to make it 1-1; Brayden Edwards and Vojtech Port picked up the assists on the goal. Lethbridge was outshot 20-4 by Calgary in the first period.
The ‘Canes opened the second period with a five-on-three power play after a carry over penalty and an early faceoff violation to open the frame. Lethbridge had a pair of chances on the man advantage – which entered running at a near 40% success rate over their previous seven games – but Hauser made a good save on a short-side look for Edwards as Calgary was able to kill off the penalties. The Hitmen continued to dominate five-on-five as they peppered Unger who was again sharp in the middle frame, including making a pair of tough goal-line scramble saves to keep it a tie game. Leo Braillard had a great chance to give the Hurricanes their first lead of the game on an odd man rush, but he was denied by Hauser. Calgary pulled ahead late in the frame when Ethan Moore scored on a two-on-one for his 12th of the season to make it a 2-1 Hitmen lead after forty minutes of play. The ‘Canes were outshot 12-5 in the middle frame and trailed the shot clock 32-9 through two periods.
In the third period, the Hurricanes appeared to tie the game when Brayden Yager tapped home a loose puck in the crease after a Shane Smith shot slipped through the goaltender. After a lengthy review, the goal was overturned keeping Calgary in front 2-1. On the next shift, Yager wired home his 21st of the season to tie the game at 2-2; Smith and Caden Price earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge and Calgary traded chances late in regulation, but the game went to overtime tied 2-2. Shots were even 7-7 in the third period.
In the extra session, the ‘Canes had an early chance that was denied by Hauser. Lethbridge was penalized when Price was assessed a hooking penalty and just 13-seconds into the power play the Hitmen won the game when Tulk ripped home his team-leading 32nd goal – and second of the night – to give Calgary the 3-2 victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 40-18 in the game by the Hitmen. Lethbridge went 0/2 on the power play while Calgary was 1/3 with extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Hitmen – #37 Oliver Tulk (2 goals)
2) Hitmen – #18 Ethan Moore (1 goal)
3) ‘Canes – #35 Jackson Unger (37-saves)
The loss for the Hurricanes ended their franchise-long winning streak at nine-straight games as they fall to 10-1-1-0 in their last 12 games away from home while their road record slipped to 14-11-1-1 on the season. Lethbridge’s overall record fell to 32-16-2-1 on the season while slipping to 2-4-1-0 against Calgary this year.
The Hurricanes will return to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Wednesday to open a two-game homestand when they welcome the Red Deer Rebels at 7:00pm in their final meeting of the season. 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.
