The Lethbridge Hurricanes used a strong third period that included a late Alex Cotton goal with 28 seconds to play to take the Oil Kings to overtime and eventually a shootout. D-Jay Jerome completed the comeback with a fourth-round shootout goal as the Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings.
In a back-and-forth opening period, it was Edmonton that struck first, as Scott Atkinson capitalized on the power play. The captain of the Oil Kings slapped home his sixth of the season from Carter Souch and Jacson Alexander.
Later, the Hurricanes received a boost of energy from rookie Ty Nash when he laid the boom with a thunderous hit mid-period that led to some extended pressure. Oliver Okulair hit a pair of posts on a shift that followed that hit, while Dylan Cozens had a glorious chance that sailed wide from the slot.
Oil Kings netminder Sebastian Cossa also made a pair of terrific saves to keep his club in front. Those saves were key for the Oil Kings who then added to their lead late in the period. Liam Keeler capped off a nice play to tuck home his seventh of the season, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break
Riding the wave of momentum into the second period, the Oil Kings built upon their lead. Riley Sawchuk beat a sliding Carl Tetachuk for his tenth of the season on a four-on-three powerplay.
The game then hit a turning point. Late in the middle period, Oil Kings defenceman Wyatt McLeod laid a huge hit on Cozens. In response, Koletrane Wilson stepped up and battled McLeod in a spirited tilt. Wilson’s defense of his teammate seemed to energize the home side and the crowd.
The Hurricanes came alive in the third. Oliver Okuliar continued his hot streak, getting the Hurricanes on the board on the power play at the 5:26 mark. Okuliar’s 16th of the season was assisted by Calen Addison and Cozens.
Then, goaltender Carl Tetachuk came up huge, stopping Carter Souch who was awarded a penalty shot just past the midpoint of the period. That save was key in keeping the Hurricanes within two, as not long after on another power play, Cozens blasted home his 13th on the season. Addison and Cotton were awarded the helpers. It was those same two who played hero with under a minute to go and the goalie pulled. Addison walked the line before finding Cotton who unloaded a shot that found the net. Cotton’s fifth of the season sent this one to extra time.
Overtime, highlighted by a key Tetachuk save with less than two on the clock, solved nothing. This one needed the shootout. Only one goal was scored in four rounds of the shootout. Jerome went forehand-backhand over Cossa to give his team the 4-3 win.
Shooting the breeze:
The win vaulted the Hurricanes into the top spot in the Central Division over the Oil Kings, although Edmonton has two games in hand. Both teams saw power play success, as the Hurricanes went 2-for-5 on the night while the Oil Kings were 2-for-4.
Tetachuk made 32 saves and all four in the shootout for his seventh win of the season. Cossa was solid in defeat, making 36 saves. Lethbridge forward Okuliar was named WHL player of the week after his back-to-back hat tricks. He now leads the team in goals with 16. Cozens is second with 13.
Lethbridge now has points in 12 straight games. The team is 10-0-2 in those games. They are back in action Saturday night when they welcome the Tri-City Americans to town. This will be the only visit for the US-based team. The Americans are also coming off a shootout win in Calgary.
Edmonton will travel to Calgary Saturday night for another Central Division showdown. Both teams are looking to rebound from disappointing results.
