Hurricanes Extend Win Streak in Comeback Win Over Broncos
Swift Current, SK – The Lethbridge Hurricanes continued their hot play of late as they earned a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout win over the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday at the InnovationPlex.
It was the third Teddy Bear Toss game for the Hurricanes in their last four outings after hosting their game on Friday while visiting the Spokane Chiefs last Saturday. Swift Current came out firing early and opened the scoring just 1:22 into the game as Raphael Pelletier beat Harrison Meneghin to send the bears flying; Caleb Wyrostok and Adam McNutt earned the assists on the goal. The Hurricanes had a power play opportunity just a few minutes after the Broncos goal but couldn’t solve Swift Current’s overage goaltender Gage Alexander as the game remained 1-0. Lethbridge was outshot 8-5 in the opening frame.
The Hurricanes opened the second period on a power play that carried over from late in the first period, and the ‘Canes cashed in just 32-seconds into the frame as Jett Jones redirected his team-leading 14th goal of the season to tie the game 1-1; Logan Wormald and Tyson Laventure earned the assists on the goal – Jones and Laventure extending their point streaks to eight-straight games while Wormald extending his to four on the tally. The game started to get a little chippy in the middle part of the period and the Broncos Josh Davies was assessed a five-minute major and game-misconduct for boarding Hurricanes forward Tristan Zandee. On the ensuing man advantage, the ‘Canes would take the lead as Laventure banged home a loose puck for his ninth goal of the season to make it 2-1 Lethbridge; Jones and Logan McCutcheon were credited with the helpers on the goal – the assist for Jones was his 100th career point in the WHL. Swift Current had a late period power play but couldn’t solve Meneghin who made a remarkable blocker save on Mathew Ward on a back-door chance as the Hurricanes led 2-1 after forty minutes of play.
In the third period, special teams continued to reign supreme. In the opening minute of the final period, it appeared that the Broncos had tied the game, but the goal was overturned due to a high stick. However, just two minutes later Swift Current did tie the game on a power play when Mathew Ward rifled home his 13th goal of the season to make it a 2-2 game. Just under three minutes after the equalizer, a power play goal by Braeden Lewis put Swift Current back in front by a 3-2 score. Lethbridge appeared to tie the game when Jones buried a backhand shot, but the goal was immediately waived off due to incidental contact with the goaltender keeping the Broncos ahead. The Hurricanes did tie the game with just 1:27 remaining in regulation on a six-on-four attack with a power play and the empty net as Laventure banged home his second of the game after a Tyson Zimmer shot hit the crossbar – the helper for Zimmer extended his point streak to 11-straight games while McCutcheon earned the secondary helper to tie the game 3-3 and to help force overtime.
In the overtime session, the Broncos outshot the Hurricanes 2-1 in what as a very slow and methodical five-minute period. Neither team found the net in the three-on-three overtime as the game went to a shootout. In the skills competition, Luke Mistelbacher and Josh Filmon were both stopped by Meneghin while Noah Chadwick and Zimmer both scored lifting the Hurricanes to a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout victory.
The Hurricanes outshot the Broncos 34-28 in the game. Lethbridge went 3/7 on the power play while Swift Current was 2/5 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #28 Tyson Laventure (2 goals, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #17 Jett Jones (1 goal, 1 assist)
3) Broncos – #15 Raphael Pelletier (1 goal, 1 assist)
The win for the Hurricanes was their fourth straight victory while improving their record to 13-3-0-1 in their last 17 games. Lethbridge improved to 9-7-0-0 on the road this season, including 6-2-0-0 in their last eight away from home, while improving to 18-11-0-1 on the campaign. The game was the first time since October of 2013 that the Broncos and Hurricanes decided a game in the shootout.
The Hurricanes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Wednesday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first of a three-game homestand to head into the Christmas break. Individual game tickets can be purchased in person at the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, the Yates Memorial Theatre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) and online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.
