Hurricanes Open Road Trip With 5-2 Loss to the Broncos
Swift Current, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a seven-game road trip on Saturday with a 5-2 loss to the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday at the InnovationPlex.
The Hurricanes opened a season-long seven-game road trip with their first of two trips to Swift Current to face the Broncos. Lethbridge entered with a 2-1-0-0 record in their last three games after earning an 8-7 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday ending a four-game homestand. The ‘Canes had a strong start to the game as they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Kai Anderson buried his second goal of the season at the 8:25 mark when he shelfed a back-hand short-side on a one-on-one rush; Enzo DiDomenicantonio and Grady Pichette earned the assists on the goal. Swift Current came close to tying the game on a chance in front by Broncos captain Hudson Darby, but he was turned aside Brody Rotar who made his first WHL start. Lethbridge doubled Swift Current in shots 10-5 in the first period as the ‘Canes held a 1-0 lead after twenty minutes.
Lethbridge continued to keep their foot on the gas to open the second period peppering Broncos netminder Joey Rocha, but the overage netminder kept it a one goal game. Swift Current pulled even with a power play goal at the 5:11 mark as Jace McFaul wired home a slapshot from the blueline to tie the game 1-1; Noah Kosick and Stepan Kuryachenkov picked up the helpers on the goal. The Broncos struck again on another power play at the 14:05 mark when former Hurricanes forward Trae Wilke buried home his second goal of the year to give Swift Current their first lead of the night; Josh McGregor and Parker Rondeau were credited with the assists on the go-ahead goal. The lead didn’t last long as the Hurricanes pulled even tying the game with a shorthanded goal by Anderson who ripped a shot from the high-slot for his first career two-goal game to tie the game 2-2 after forty minutes of play. The Hurricanes outshot the Broncos 13-5 in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Broncos pulled ahead with another power play goal at the 10:18 mark when Kuryachenkov cut in off the right wing before wiring a shot over the blocker of Rotar to break the tie giving Swift Current the 3-2 lead with his fifth goal of the season; McFaul and Zach Pantelakis earned the assists on the tally. Just 1:41 later, the Broncos added to their lead when McGregor ripped home his third goal of the season from the left circle doubling the Swift Current advantage 4-2 at the 11:59 mark; McFaul earned his third point of the game while Hudson Darby was credited with the second assist on the goal. The Hurricanes peppered Rocha late in the game, but the fourth-year goaltender shut the door before Sawyer Dingman sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 1:11 remaining in the contest.
The Hurricanes outshot the Broncos 16-7 in the third period and 39-17 in the game setting a new season-high for shots in a game. Lethbridge was 0/1 on the power play while Swift Current was 3/5 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Broncos – #7 Jace McFaul (1 goal, 2 assists
2) Broncos – #35 Joey Rocha (37-saves)
3) Broncos – #33 Stepan Kuryachenkov (1 goal, 1 assist)
The loss for the Hurricanes was their fifth-straight road defeat as their road record fell to 2-7-0-0 on the season. Lethbridge’s record dropped to 5-14-0-1 on the season as the Hurricanes fell to 2-2-0-0 in their last four games.
The Hurricanes continue their seven-game road trip on Wednesday when they visit the Penticton Vees for the very first time at the South Okanagan Events Centre at 7:30pm MT. Lethbridge returns to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Friday, November 29th when they welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7:00pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting the VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.
