Hurricanes Win 9th Straight on Bryce Salvador Night
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes gunned for their ninth straight victory as they welcomed the Moose Jaw Warriors on Bryce Salvador Night and the ‘Canes delivered earning a 4-3 overtime win in front of 4,628 fans.
Brayden Burke followed up his hat-trick performance on Wednesday with a four point night while Giorgio Estephan and Egor Babenko each had multi-point efforts. Jayden Sittler made 32 saves for his 17th victory of the season.
The ‘Canes got the ball rolling early in the game as Babenko finished off a three-way passing play for his 24th of the season just 1:06 into the game – Estephan and Burke picked up the helpers to make it 1-0. Estephan potted his 26th of the season at the 14:01 mark on a beautiful shot high passed Warriors start Brody Willms to make it 2-0 ‘Canes at the first intermission. Hurricanes outshot the Warriors 13-10 in the first period.
It was a very even and back-and-forth second period with both teams having strong offensive zone time. Moose Jaw got on the board as Jesse Shynkaruk scored a beautiful goal as he made a nice move passed the defenseman before slipping it through the legs of Sittler to cut the lead in half. Hurricanes directed 13 shots on Willms in the second, but he stopped them all while the Warriors had just six shots on goal.
The Warriors came out flying in the third period and would manufactured a game-tying goal at the 8:21 mark as Dryden Hunt banged home a rebound to make it 2-2. The ‘Canes re-took the lead in controversial fashion as Brayden Burke scored his 18th of the season at the 12:13 mark – Estephan and Babenko picked up the assists. Just 2:04 later, the Warriors tied the game again as Jayden Halbgewachs jammed a puck passed Sittler to make it 3-3. Carter Folk, who returned from injury, drew a penalty late in the period as the ‘Canes went to the power play however they failed to score before the end of regulation.
The ‘Canes didn’t score on the power play in overtime, but quickly after the penalty expired, Tyler Wong lit the lamp just 1:03 into overtime for his 27th of the season to secure the 4-3 win – Burke and Andrew Nielsen picked up the assists on the overtime winner as the Hurricanes improved to 6-0 in extra time this season.
The ‘Canes outshot the Warriors 42-35 on the night. Both teams were 0/2 on the power play in the game.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #9 Giorgio Estephan – (1 goal, 2 assists)
2) Warriors = #35 Brody Willms – (38 saves, 1 assist)
3) ‘Canes – #19 Brayden Burke – (1 goal, 3 assists)
The win for the Hurricanes is their ninth straight victory, the first time since November 2007 that they’ve completed that feat. ‘Canes are now 21-3-0-0 on home ice and 35-12-0-0 on the season.
Hurricanes are back in action on Sunday night when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 6:00pm. Tickets are going fast, so get your tickets by calling (403) 329-SEAT or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
(Photo Credit: Tyler Barrett)
