Hurricanes Fall in OT in Kelowna
Kelowna, BC – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continued their five game BC road trip on Wednesday in Kelowna against the Rockets as the ‘Canes dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime to the top team in the BC Division.
It was a fast-paced opening period between the two. The ‘Canes jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Jordy Bellerive snapped home a quick shot under Rockets goaltender Brodan Salmond just 42 seconds into the game; Dylan Cozens earned the lone assist extending his point scoring streak to five straight games. The Rockets tied the game at the 8:08 mark as Dillon Dube stepped into the middle of the slot and rifled one over the blocker of Reece Klassen to tie the game 1-1. Klassen made a miraculous post-to-post split save to rob Nolan Foote on a point-blank chance to keep the game tied. The ‘Canes were outshot by the Rockets 15-9 in the opening period.
Kelowna jumped out to a 2-1 lead early in the second period as Kole Lind blasted home his 22nd of the season to five the Rockets their first lead just 4:05 into the period. Rockets added another as Connor Bruggen-Cate busted in on a shorthanded breakaway and beat Klassen five-hole to make it 3-1 Kelowna. The ‘Canes pulled back within one as Tate Olson jumped in on the rush and snapped home his first as a Hurricanes at the 13:27 mark; Brad Morrison and Zane Franklin picked up the helpers. Klassen made his second tremendous save of the game stealing another one away from Nolan Foote on the goal line to keep the ‘Canes within striking distance as they trailed by one after two periods. Shots in the second favoured the Rockets 13-9.
The Hurricanes were strong in the third period outshooting the Rockets 13-5 in the final twenty minutes. The ‘Canes were able to tie the game at the 12:27 mark of the third as Taylor Ross scored for the fourth straight game snapping home his 14th goal of the season to make it a 3-3 tie. Neither team would score in the final eight minutes of the period as the game went to overtime.
After Cal Foote took a delay of game penalty with 2.3 seconds left in regulation, the ‘Canes had a power play early in overtime and were buzzing hitting two goal posts as both Morrison and Bellerive hit red-metal as the game continued. The Rockets would get the winner with 2:05 left in the extra session when Cal Foote redeemed himself snapping one low to the blocker of Klassen lifting Kelowna to a 4-3 win.
The ‘Canes were outshot 37-34 in the game. Lethbridge went 0/5 on the power play while the Rockets were 0/3 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Rockets – #19 Dillon Dube (1 goal, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #31 Reece Klassen (33 saves)
3) Rockets – #25 Cal Foote (1 goal)
The loss for the Hurricanes snaps their four game winning streak, but the ‘Canes now have points in five straight games going 4-0-1-0 in that span. The ‘Canes are now 8-11-2-0 away from home this season.
The Hurricanes will continue their trip on Friday and Saturday with back-to-back games in Prince George against the Cougars at CN Centre. Both games can be heard on 106.7 ROCK or seen at Browns Socialhouse.
