Hurricanes Drop OT Decision to Pats
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continued a four-game homestand on Wednesday with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Regina Pats at the ENMAX Centre.
It was a great start for the Pats who popped an early goal just 1:11 into the game as Alex Geci scored his first of the season to make it 1-0 Regina. The ‘Canes had a chance to equalize just minutes later as Joe Arntsen ripped a shot off the post. Pats continued to press early as Geci deflected a Layton Feist point-shot to make it 2-0. The ‘Canes answered back as they would cut the lead in half after an extended offensive zone shift when Noah Boyko buried his sixth of the season at the 12:49 mark to make it 2-1; Kade Nolan and Jett Jones earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge continued to carry the play as they outshot Regina 19-13 in the period.
The Hurricanes had an early five-on-three power play in the second period after a pair of delay of game penalties to the Pats. The ‘Canes had a couple of good looks on the man advantage but Regina netminder Matthew Kieper stood tall keeping the Pats lead intact. The ‘Canes had two more power plays in the period and had a glorious opportunity as Yegor Klavdiev ripped one off the goal post as Regina held their 2-1 lead after forty minutes of play. Pats held the edge in shots 11-10 in the period.
Early in the third period on the power play, the ‘Canes tied the game as Logan Wormald buried his fourth of the season just 1:11 into the frame as Lethbridge broke through on the man advantage; Logan McCutcheon and Boyko earned the assists on the game-tying goal. Neither team would find the net for a go-ahead goal as the game went to overtime.
In the extra session, the ‘Canes and Pats traded chances before Nolan Bentham was penalized for throwing his stick. On the ensuing power play, the Pats would get a winner as Connor Bedard scored his 10th of the season with just 1.1 seconds left in regulation to lift Regina to a 3-2 victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 4-3 in overtime but held the edge in the game 42-35 in the contest. Lethbridge went 1/6 on the power play while Regina was 1/4 on the man advantage.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Pats – #30 Matthew Kieper (40 saves)
2) ‘Canes – #19 Noah Boyko (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) ‘Canes – #30 Bryan Thomson (32 saves)
The loss for the Hurricanes dropped their home-ice record to 5-3-1-0 this season while dropping their overall record to 7-10-1-0 on the season. The ‘Canes are now 2-1-1-0 in their last four games having collected points in two straight games.
The Hurricanes continue their homestand on Friday against the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:00pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, the Yates Memorial Theatre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.
