Hurricanes Fall 3-2 in Overtime to Hitmen in Game 4; Series Now Tied 2-2
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes dropped a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4 to the Calgary Hitmen at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Wednesday.
Lethbridge held a 2-1 series lead on Calgary heading into Game 4 but were coming off a 5-3 loss in Game 3. The Hitmen had a good start to the game as they outshot the Hurricanes 4-1 in the early going and jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Oliver Tulk scored his first goal of the series on a two-on-one just 3:13 into the game; Ben Kindel and David Adaszynski earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge responded to tie the game at 1-1 when Noah Chadwick leaned into a slapshot on a power play beating Anders Miller to draw even at the 8:30 mark; Brayden Yager and Miguel Marques picked up the helpers on Chadwick’s third goal of the post-season. The ‘Canes came close at the end of the period on a good chance for Luke Cozens, but Miller kept the game tied 1-1 after twenty minutes of play. Shots favoured Calgary 8-7 in the first period.
The Hurricanes came out buzzing to open the second period as they peppered the Hitmen. Lethbridge had an early chance to take their first lead of the game when Yager was set up in front of the net, but he wired a shot off the goal post to keep the game tied. The ‘Canes continued to press for the lead with a power play opportunity; Lethbridge had two goal-mouth scrambles that saw the puck get to the goal line, but somehow Miller was able to keep it out. Calgary pulled ahead again at the 16:04 mark when Brandon Gorzynski tipped home a centering pass from Sawyer Mynio on a power play of their own to make it a 2-1 Hitmen lead after forty minutes of play. Lethbridge outshot Calgary 17-6 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Hurricanes drew even for the second-straight game early in the final frame when Trae Johnson was credited with a goal at the 5:18 mark after redirecting a Grady Pichette point shot into the net to tie the game 2-2; Carsen Adair earned the second assist on the goal. Lethbridge continued to pour it on Calgary in the third period as they kept the Hitmen pinned in their own zone for the final fives minutes but again struggled to score as Miller continued to stand on his head to keep the game tied 2-2 after regulation. The ‘Canes outshot the Hitmen 8-7 in the period.
Lethbridge and Calgary traded chances early in overtime with the Hurricanes coming close to end the game on the second shift when Logan Wormald was set up in the high slot, but the puck jumped over his stick. The Hitmen pressed back and found the game-winning goal at the 6:08 mark as Kindel chipped a shot over the blocker of Jackson Unger to lift Calgary to the 3-2 overtime win evening the series at two-games apiece.
The Hurricanes outshot the Hitmen 34-24 in the game. Lethbridge went 1/3 with the power play while Calgary was 1/2 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #8 Noah Chadwick (1 goal)
2) Hitmen – #29 Anders Miller (32-saves)
3) ‘Canes – #26 Trae Johnson (1 goal)
The loss for the Hurricanes is their second-straight defeat as the series is now tied 2-2 as the home team has won all four games. Lethbridge’s home record slipped to 3-2-0 in the playoffs while having gone 1-4-1 against Calgary on home ice this season.
The Hurricanes will visit the Hitmen in Game 5 on Friday at 7:00pm at Scotiabank Saddledome before welcoming Calgary in Game 6 at 7:00pm at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. Tickets for Game 6 will go on sale on Thursday morning at 10:00am and can be 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.
