Hurricanes Sweep Trip, Extend Win Streak to Seven Straight with 4-2 Win Over Chiefs
Spokane, WA – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended a five-game road trip on Saturday with a 4-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs at the Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena.
It was the final game of the season for the Hurricanes against the US Division. Lethbridge had a good start in the opening minute as they came close to scoring first when Kash Andresen ripped a shot off the crossbar behind Dawson Cowan. The Chiefs – who entered on a three-game winning streak – jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after just 2:57 in as Spokane’s top-line of Berkly Catton, Shea Van Olm and Andrew Cristall combined for the goal with Catton burying his 20th goal of the year. The Hurricanes answered with a shorthanded goal at the 4:48 mark when Jordan Gustafson scored his second of the season on a breakaway to make it a 1-1 game. Before the end of the period, Spokane pulled back in front when Van Olm scored his WHL-leading 33rd goal to make it 2-1 with 1:52 left in the period; Catton and Cristall picked up the assists as the Chiefs top-line combined for six points in the first period. Shots were even 7-7 in the period.
The two teams combined for 25 shots in the second period with the Chiefs holding the edge 16-9 in the period. Lethbridge pulled even at the midway point when Gustafson wired home his second goal of the game – and third of the year – to make it a 2-2 game; Anthony Wilson earned the lone assist on the goal for his first point as a Hurricane. The ‘Canes had their first power play opportunity of the game at the midway point of the frame, but the Chiefs top-ranked penalty kill didn’t allow a shot against. Spokane came close to finding a go-ahead goal in the final minute when Van Olm cut to the net, but Jackson Unger made a terrific pad save to keep the game tied 2-2 after forty minutes.
In third period, the Hurricanes came out firing to find their first lead of the game and they would pull ahead when Logan McCutcheon jumped into the rush and buried his seventh goal of the season to make it a 3-2 game at the 8:17 mark; Logan Wormald earned the lone assist on the goal. Lethbridge continued to pour it on Spokane and came close to making it a two-goal game when Leo Braillard was robbed by Cowan with a glove save. The Chiefs pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker and with 53-seconds remaining in the game, Gustafson would complete his second career hat-trick to make it a 4-2 final for the Hurricanes; Brayden Yager earned the lone helper on the goal as the ‘Canes swept their five-game road trip.
The Hurricanes were outshot 30-28 in the game by the Chiefs. Lethbridge went 0/1 on the power play while gong 2/2 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #7 Jordan Gustafson (3 goals)
2) Chiefs – #27 Berkly Catton (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) ‘Canes – #2 Logan McCutcheon (1 goal)
The win for the Hurricanes extended their winning streak to seven-straight games – their first seven-game win streak since 2017. Lethbridge improved to 7-1-0-0 in their last eight road games to lift their road record to 11-11-0-1 on the season. The ‘Canes overall record improved to 26-14-1-1 on the season as they finish the year with a 3-2-0-1 record against the US Division.
Lethbridge will return to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Wednesday, January 22nd when they welcome the Regina Pats at 7:00pm in the first of a three-game homestand. 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.