Hurricanes Streak Ends with 4-2 Loss to Oil Kings
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended a four-game homestand on Saturday with a heartbreaking 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings at the ENMAX Centre.
It was the first meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Oil Kings and their first meeting since Edmonton eliminated Lethbridge in the first round of the WHL Playoffs last season. The game also marked the return of goaltender Bryan Thomson who made his first start of the year after recovering from off-season surgery. Thomson was tested early in the game when the Oil Kings had a great chance on a partial two-on-one down low but the ‘Canes overage goalie made a great right-pad save. Edmonton opened the scoring at the 12:39 mark when Vojtech Port put one off the post and in with a point shot on a power play to make it 1-0; Gavin Hodnett and Luca Hauf earned the assists on the goal. The ‘Canes had a couple of good looks in the period but couldn’t beat Oil Kings netminder Kolby Hay. Edmonton outshot Lethbridge 10-9 in the first period.
The Hurricanes were much better in the second period as they took the play to the Oil Kings and outshot them 13-6 in the frame. Lethbridge tied the game just 1:32 into the period when Cole Shepard tapped home a rebound for his eighth goal of the season to make it a 1-1 game; Logan Wormald and Chase Pauls were credited with the helpers. The Hurricanes continued to pour on the chances and after a two-on-one and a three-on-one that were foiled, the ‘Canes cashed on a third odd-man as Tyson Zimmer rifled one passed Hay on a sharp angle to put Lethbridge ahead 2-1; Tristan Zandee earned the lone helper on the goal as the ‘Canes led by a goal after forty minutes of play.
In the third period, the Oil Kings pressed in hopes of finding an equalizer as they outshot the Hurricanes 13-10 in the final frame. Edmonton tied the game at the 13:52 mark when Carson Golder snapped home a tying goal on the fly down the left-wing to make it 2-2. Edmonton continued to push keeping the ‘Canes on their heels and with just 17.6-seconds left in regulation Marshall Finnie banged home a loose puck to put the Oil Kings up 3-2 before Golder added an empty-net goal with just three-seconds left icing a 4-2 victory over the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes outshot the Oil Kings 32-29 in the contest. Lethbridge went 0/3 on the power play while Edmonton was 1/4 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #21 Tyson Zimmer (1 goal)
2) ‘Canes – #27 Cole Shepard (1 goal)
3) ‘Canes – #30 Bryan Thomson (25-saves)
The defeat for the Hurricanes ended a four-game winning streak and ended a seven-game point streak as the ‘Canes fell to 6-1-0-1 in their last eight games. Lethbridge ends their four-game homestand with a 3-1-0-0 record as they fall to 11-9-0-1 on the season.
The Hurricanes embark on a six-game road trip on Tuesday with four games in Manitoba before visiting Washington State for two games. Lethbridge will return to the ENMAX Centre on Tuesday, December 6th when they host the Swift Current Broncos. 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.
