Hurricanes Knock Off Americans 5-3
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off a three-in-three weekend on Friday night with a 5-3 win over the Tri-City Americans are the ENMAX Centre in front of over 4,300 people.
Tyler Wong and Brayden Burke led the way offensively again as the two combined for five points. Wong scored twice in the first period and completed his second hat-trick of the season in the second period while Burke picked up another two assists in the victory.
It was a physical affair between the two teams who don’t play very often. Wong struck to open the scoring at the 8:19 mark of the first period – Burke and Igor Merezhko earned the assists. Just over ten minutes later, Wong added his second of the night with 1:06 left in the period on a power play as Burke fed him back-door and Wong made no mistake – Andrew Nielsen earned the second assist. It was Wong’s 30th goal of the season as he became the first ‘Cane to hit the 30-goal plateau since 2012-2013 when Jaimen Yakubowski scored 32. Hurricanes led 2-0 after one period and were outshot 7-4 in the first.
Fireworks went off in second period as it was a parade to the penalty box, with five goals sprinkled in. Vladislav Lukin cut the lead in half with a power play goal just 2:20 into the middle frame. Wong restored the ‘Canes two goal lead as he redirected a Kord Pankewicz point shot passed Evan Sarthou for his 31st of the season completing the hat-trick just 3:10 later. Tri-City once again cut the lead to one as Tyler Sandhu beat Jayden Sittler high to the glove side at the 11:47 mark making it 3-2. However, just 54 seconds later, Carter Folk jammed home his eighth of the season making it 4-2. But, on another power play, Lukin scored his second of the period making it 4-3 at the second intermission. Amerks outshot the ‘Canes 18-12 in the middle frame.
The ‘Canes locked it down in the third period playing a perfect period in hopes of steering home the win. The ‘Canes had some looks offensively, but couldn’t capitalize. Americans only mustered three shots in the final twenty minutes while the ‘Canes had 12. Ryley Lindgren iced the game with less than a minute left as he potted an empty net goal for his 21st goal of the season making the final 5-3.
Shots were tied 28-28 in the hockey game. Hurricanes went 1/6 on the power play while the Americans were 2/7 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #5 Tyler Wong – (3 goals)
2) Americans – #21 Vladislav Lukin – (2 goals)
3) ‘Canes – #19 Brayden Burke – (2 assists)
The win for the ‘Canes was their first against Tri-City since January 19th, 2008 snapping a seven game losing streak to the Americans. Hurricanes are now 25-3-0-0 on home ice this season and 39-16-0-0 overall.
The ‘Canes are back in action on Saturday afternoon in Edmonton when they face the Oil Kings at 2:00pm at Rexall Place.
