Hurricanes Earn Opening Night Victory Over Broncos
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened the 2023-2024 regular season on Saturday with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos at the ENMAX Centre.
The Hurricanes unveiled their new black alternate jerseys prior to the game with the introduction of this season’s team at the start of the game. The ‘Canes had a great start to the game feeding off the energy of the large crowd and had some good looks early by Broncos netminder Joey Rocha stood tall keeping the game scoreless. Harrison Meneghin was tested midway through the period when former Hurricane Tyson Laventure was setup back-door for a tap-in and Meneghin stretched his left leg out to stymy his old teammate. The ‘Canes had a power play with six-minutes left in the period and had two great chances but again Rocha was strong. Lethbridge had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring on a partial two-on-one, but Rocha made a fantastic right-pad save to rob Miguel Marques. Swift Current broke the scoreless tie with 1:07 left in the first period as Maddix McCagherty snuck one through the arm of Meneghin right as a power play expired to make it 1-0 Broncos after one period.
After the shots were tied 14-14- in the first period, the two teams traded chances in the second and shots were tied 11-11 in the middle frame. The Broncos hit a pair of goal posts early in the second, the best chance on a wrist shot by Clarke Caswell who wired one off the crossbar but the score stayed 1-0 Swift Current. Lethbridge had a power play opportunity but couldn’t generate any momentum as the Broncos were able to clog up the middle keeping the ‘Canes off the board through forty minutes of play.
In the third period, the Hurricanes tied the game at the 3:07 mark as it appeared that Kale Tipler had sniped his first WHL goal, but it was waved off as it hit the goal post but Logan McCutcheon was able to slide home his first goal of the season to make it a 1-1 game; Tipler and Elias Knoester were both credited with their first WHL points on the equalizer. Just 12-seconds later, it was another first as Landen Ward tapped home a rebound for his first WHL goal on a Tipler shot to make it 2-1 Lethbridge; McCutcheon earned the second assist on the tally that gave the Hurricanes their first lead. The Hurricanes got into penalty trouble with Ward and Marques in the box giving the Broncos an extended five-on-three power play but the ‘Canes were able to kill off the entirety of the power play. Lethbridge added to their lead as Logan Wormald finished a three-way passing play for his first to make it a 3-1 game; Brayden Edwards and Miguel Marques picked up the assists. The Broncos pulled the goaltender late in the game in an attempt to mount a comeback but Meneghin stood tall steering the Hurricanes to a 3-1 victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 16-9 in the third period and 41-34 in the game. Lethbridge went 0/3 on the power play and 5/5 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #35 Harrison Meneghin (40-saves)
2) ‘Canes – #6 Kale Tipler (2 assists)
3) Broncos – #35 Joey Rocha (31-saves)
The win for the Hurricanes was their third straight victory dating back to the pre-season as they open the new year with a 1-0-0-0 record. The ‘Canes are now 6-2-0-0 in their last eight regular season games against the Broncos dating back to last season.
The Hurricanes will continue the 2023-2024 season on Saturday when they open a three-game road trip in Swift Current against the Broncos at 7:00pm at Innovation Credit Union i-Plex. The ‘Canes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, October 6th when they welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
