Hurricanes Get By Broncos
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes returned home on Friday night as they welcomed the Swift Current Broncos at the ENMAX Centre. The Hurricanes extended their win streak to three games with a 4-3 win over the Broncos.
The Hurricanes came out flying in the opening twenty minutes carrying over what they built on their US Division road trip as the ‘Canes peppered the Broncos with 22 shots in the first period while the Broncos had just seven. The Hurricanes struck first with a power play goal by Colton Kroeker just 2:42 into the hockey game – Brennan Menell and Kord Pankewicz picked up the helpers. The ‘Canes made it 2-0 just under three minutes later as Ryley Lindgren scored his 10th of the year – Ty Prefontaine picked up his first point as a ‘Canes while Pankewicz added the second helper. Broncos cut into the lead as Tyler Steenbergen netted a power play goal before Egor Babenko snapped a 12-game goalless drought with his sixth of the year making it 3-1. Late in the period, another power play goal for the Broncos got them back within one as Ryan Graham redirected a Max Lajoie point shot by Stuart Skinner as the period ended with the Hurricanes in front 3-2.
The ‘Canes continued the strong play early in the second period. Babenko was sprung on a breakaway before being taken down resulting in a penalty shot just 1:52 into the period but Babenko failed to score as the game stayed 3-2 Lethbridge. Just under three minutes later the Broncos tied the game as Graham added his second goal of the night making it 3-3. The Hurricanes outshot the Broncos 11-8 in the second period.
In the third period, the two teams traded chances. The best look was an opportunity for Igor Merezhko on the doorstep who appeared to have been robbed by Taz Burman but on a video replay the puck appeared to be in the net. However, on a video review, the goal was disallowed. The Hockey-Gods would make things even however as Jordy Bellerive scored late with a 1:33 left in the game to make it 4-3 as the ‘Canes would go on to the victory.
Shots were tied 10-10 in the third period, but the Hurricanes held the edge 43-25 in the hockey game. The ‘Canes went 1/7 on the power play while the Broncos were 2/4.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Broncos – #23 Ryan Graham – 2 goals, 1 assist
2) ‘Canes – #16 Ryley Lindgren – 1 goal, 1 assist
3) Broncos – #30 Taz Burman – 31 saves
The Hurricanes have now won three straight games to improve their record to 10-11-1-2 on the season. The ‘Canes will be back in action on Saturday at 2:00pm as they travel to Calgary to take on the Hitmen at Scotiabank Saddledome.
(Photo Credit: Tyler Barrett)
