Hurricanes Force Game 7 with 5-1 Victory Over Hitmen on Saturday
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes earned a convincing 5-1 victory over the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
The Hurricanes looked to stave off elimination and force a Game 7 in their second-round series against the Hitmen. Lethbridge had a great early chance on a two-on-one in the opening minute, but a pass was out of the reach of Miguel Marques on the opportunity. Calgary had an early power play opportunity as Marques was assessed a slashing penalty, but with the extra man the Hitmen were unable to open the scoring. The Hitmen continued to press in the opening period as they came close again, but Jackson Unger slid across to make a terrific pad save before covering for a whistle. Calgary outshot Lethbridge 9-5 in the first period.
The Hurricanes were excellent in the second period as they came our firing in hopes of taking a lead. The ‘Canes had a great chance just five-and-a-half minutes into the frame when Easton Daneault was set up in front of the net but was stopped by Anders Miller with the blocker on the point-blank opportunity. Calgary was assessed two penalties on the same play when Carson Birnie and Carter Yakemchuk were sent to the penalty box resulting in a full two-minute five-on-three power play. On the ensuing two-man advantage, the ‘Canes struck first when Noah Chadwick ripped home his fourth goal of the playoffs after a goal-mouth scramble to make it 1-0; Logan Wormald and Brayden Edwards earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge struck again at the 13:45 mark when Brayden Yager wired home his second goal of the series – and sixth of the playoffs – to make it 2-0; Marques and Kooper Gizowski picked up the helpers on the goal. The Hurricanes continued to keep their foot on the gas in the final five minutes of the period as the scored two goals in 20-seconds to open a four-goal lead. Chadwick ripped home his second of the game – and fifth of the post-season – at the 18:37 mark before Caden Price potted his second of the playoffs at the 18:57 mark; Daneault and Kash Andresen were credited with the assists on the Price goal to give the ‘Canes a 4-0 lead after two periods. The Hurricanes nearly doubled the Hitmen in shots in the second period outshooting them 14-8.
In the third period, the Hurricanes picked up where they left off as they had a great early chance when Marques slipped a pass back-door to Gizowski who tipped a shot off the crossbar. The ‘Canes kept coming and nearly made it 5-0 when Wormald wired a one-timer off the post on a power play. Calgary broke Unger’s shutout streak with a goal with 3:27 left in the game as Brandon Gorzynski lifted home his fourth goal of the playoffs to extend a point streak to four-straight games making it 4-1. The Hurricanes rounded out the scoring sealing a Game 6 win when Edwards scored his fifth of the playoff with 2:48 remaining in the game; Luke Cozens earned the lone assist on the goal. The Hurricanes were able to steer the game home and hang on to a 5-1 victory to force a Game 7.
Lethbridge held the edge in shots 7-5 on Calgary in the third period while the Hurricanes outshot the Hitmen 26-22 in the game. Lethbridge went 1/3 with the power play while Calgary was 0/5 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #8 Noah Chadwick (2 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #35 Jackson Unger (21-saves)
3) ‘Canes – #14 Miguel Marques (2 assists)
The win for the Hurricanes ends a three-game losing streak as it ties their best-of-seven series at 3-3. Lethbridge improved to 5-8 in their post-season history in Game 6’s while winning their second-straight against Calgary to force a Game 7. The ‘Canes improved to 4-1-1 on home ice during the playoffs.
The Hurricanes will visit the Hitmen in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:00pm at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Fans can watch the game for free on the Victory+ app, www.victoryplus.com or by visiting Browns Socialhouse in Lethbridge.
