Comeback Falls Short, ‘Canes Lose 3-2
Lethbridge, AB – After an extended wait, the Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2015 ENMAX Pre-Season Friday night in front of 1,474 fans at the ENMAX Centre and despite a third period comeback attempt, the ‘Canes dropped a 3-2 decision to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
The Hurricanes roster boasted a ton of young talent in the lineup with 12 players born in 1998 or later including the likes of two second overall picks in Jordy Bellerive and Calen Addison. As well, 2000-born Josh Tarzwell and Tyler Strath suited up in a ‘Canes jersey for the first time.
Calen Addison asserted himself well in his Hurricanes debut picking up a goal and an assist but it was Medicine Hat that struck first to open the scoring. Josh Hamblin beat ‘Canes starting goaltender Stuart Skinner with a shot low to the glove 11:06 into the game to make it 1-0, the way the first period would end. The Tigers outshot the Hurricanes 12-6 in the opening frame.
A pair of second period goals by the Kitties increased their lead to 3-0 through forty minutes of play. First Zach Fischer put one by Skinner just thirty seconds into the period with a long-range shot on a power play to make it 2-0. Skinner split time with Jayden Sittler who entered the game at the half way point of the second – Skinner allowed two goals on 19 shots in his half game of work. Sittler would surrender on early after entering the game as Cole Sanford beat him on a second opportunity but was rock solid the rest of the way as the ‘Canes headed into the third down a field goal.
The Hurricanes didn’t take long to cut into the Tigers lead as Addison let one fly from the top of the right circle that found its way by Medicine Hat goalie Rylan Rommelaere who replaced Evan Johnson after two periods to make it 3-1 just 29 seconds into the game – Zane Franklin picked up the lone assist on the goal. The ‘Canes continued to press as they outshot the Tigers 16-7 in the final period. The ‘Canes cut the lead to one as Brett Davis scored his first of the pre-season at the 4:37 mark to make it interesting making it a 3-2 game; Giorgio Estephan and Addison earned the helpers on the goal. The Hurricanes had multiple chances, including a goal that was disallowed and a last minute power play but they couldn’t solve the Tigers netminder falling 3-2 in the exhibition opener.
The Hurricanes were outshot 43-36 in the game. The ‘Canes failed to capitalize on six power play opportunities while Medicine Hat went 1/5 on the man advantage.
The Hurricanes continue the ENMAX Pre-Season when they travel to Cranbrook on Tuesday to take on the Kootenay Ice – game time is 7:00pm.
