Hurricanes Win Fourth Straight with 5-1 Victory Over Tigers
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened a two-game homestand on Wednesday with a 5-1 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers at the ENMAX Centre.
The Hurricanes opened a stretch of four out of five games at home on Wednesday as they faced the Tigers for the seventh time this season. Medicine Hat had a great start to the game as they kept Lethbridge pinned in the early going but Harrison Meneghin was strong early to keep the game scoreless. The ‘Canes struck first on a goal by Leo Braillard as he rifled home his 12th goal of the season at the 5:03 mark wiring a shot off the bar and in to make it 1-0; Miguel Marques and Tristen Doyle earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge added to their lead at the 14:10 mark when Logan Wormald ripped a shot bar-down for his 17th of the year to make it 2-0 before Wormald doubled down with his second of the period just 2:17 later beating Jordan Switzer through the legs to make it 3-0; Noah Chadwick assisted on both Wormald goals to surpass the 50-point mark on the season becoming the first Hurricanes defenceman to reach the 50-point mark since Alex Cotton and Calen Addison both accomplished the feat in the 2019-2020 season. Lethbridge was outshot 11-7 in the first period but led 3-0 after twenty minutes of play.
Lethbridge carried the play in the second period as they outshot Medicine Hat 14-8. The ‘Canes had a pair of great chances on an early power play to open the period when Tomas Mrsic was assessed a cross-checking penalty. The Hurricanes snapped the puck around and set up both Dylan Sydor and Marques in front with chances, but Zach Zahara – who replaced Switzer after the ‘Canes third goal – made a pair of great saves to keep it a 3-0 Lethbridge lead. The Hurricanes kept pressing and came close to adding to their lead when Will Sharpe fired a shot off the crossbar. Medicine Hat looked to cut into the Lethbridge lead late in the period as Gavin McKenna was robbed by Meneghin on a beautiful windmill glove save to keep to game 3-0 for the ‘Canes after two periods of play.
In the third period, the Hurricanes kept their foot on the gas outshooting the Tigers 13-4. Lethbridge added to their lead midway through the period when Braillard set up Dylan Sydor for a one-timer off the rush and Sydor made no mistake burying his 25th goal of the season to make it 4-0 Hurricanes; Hayden Pakkala earned the second assist on the goal to extend his point streak to four-straight games. Medicine Hat answered back one-minute later when Reid Andresen placed a shot over the blocker of Meneghin to break the shutout bid and to cut the Lethbridge lead back to three. The Tigers pulled the goaltender late in the game and the ‘Canes added an empty-net goal as Carter Dereniwsky netted his fifth of the season to make it a 5-1 final.
The Hurricanes outshot the Tigers 34-23 in the game. Lethbridge went 0/3 on the power play while Medicine Hat went 0/1 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #18 Logan Wormald (2 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #28 Leo Braillard (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) ‘Canes – #8 Noah Chadwick (2 assists)
The win for the Hurricanes was their fourth-straight victory marking a new season-high. Lethbridge improved to 5-1-0-0 in their last six games while their record lifted to 7-1-3-0 in their last 11 games at home. The ‘Canes home-ice record improved to 17-8-5-0 on the year while their overall record lifted to 29-26-5-0 on the season.
Lethbridge will welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday at 7:00pm in the second of a two-game homestand at the ENMAX Centre before visiting the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday at 6:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
