The Lethbridge Hurricanes after a successful 2-0-0 homestand hit the road for a pair of divisional matchups. After a 2-1 win over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings last Tuesday the Canes travelled north to Calgary for a date with the Hitmen. This was the second meeting of the season between these clubs, the Hitmen having won a 6-5 game back on October 12th at the Saddledome. 11 goals in that game would almost seem to foreshadow this match up, where the two teams again combined for a goal fill affair. 13 when it was all set and done.
Centre Jadon Joesph led the charge for the visiting Canes with two goals and defencemen Igor Merezkho added three helpers to lead the team to a 7-6 win. The goals came fast and furious in this game starting with the home side. Kaden Elder tallied his fifth of the season for Calgary, It was
the first of two on the night for the former Swift Current Bronco. Jadon Joesph and Logan Barlage provided the answers for the Canes. Scoring goals just four minutes apart gave the visitors their first lead of the contest at 2-1. Before the opening period expired, the home side tied the game on a Ryder Korczak shot, His first of the season. The second period started with a bang has the Hurricanes come out flying. Just 2:36 in, Calen Addison blasted home his second goal of this year and that was quickly followed by Jordy Bellerive a little over 2 minutes later. The Captain gave his side a quick 4-2 lead. That lead increase mere moments later with Keltie Jeri-Leon tapping home his fourth.
Lethbridge seemed to be in control through much of the second period before Calgary found a way to respond. Korczak got his second of the game followed by two goals from Arizona product Mark Kastelic that bookended the second intermission. So with the teams trading three goal outbursts, they found themselves deadlocked at five a side. But it would not be for long, Just 58 seconds after the game was tied when Jadon Joseph recorded his second snipe of the night – seventh on the season. This whirlwind match up would see each side find the net once more, giving the boys in white the two points and evening up the season series at a win apiece. It was a very tight and close game again between these divisional foes. The Hitmen won the shot clock at 32-30. Canes goalie Reece Klassen got the win with a 26 save performance while the Hitmen used both netminders, Carl Stankowski got 10 saves on 15 shot before being replaced by Jack McNaughton. the latter took the loss – stopping 13 of the 15 shots he faced. The Hurricanes were then off to the provincial capital.
Sunday night in Edmonton wouldn’t go so well for the visiting Hurricanes. The Oil Kings used a four-point night from Trey Fix-Wolansky and three points including the game-winner from Jake Neighbours to double up the Wind City team 6-3. Lethbridge product and goaltender Carl Tetachuk got his second start of the season, stopping 24-of-30 shots in the loss dropping his record to 1-1-0-0. Edmonton netminder Boston Bilous didn’t have an overly busy night getting the “W”. He recorded 21 saves on 24 shots faced. The Canes found themselves down 6-1 late in the third period before a couple late markers from overagers Jake Elmer and Taylor Ross made the game respectable. Ross recorded one goal and one assist to lead the Canes lacklustre offence in this one. Next up for the home side is a match up in Regina vs the Pats, Hurricanes are also off to Saskatchwen to visit the Swift Current Broncos.
The 1-1-0-0 weekend gave the Hurricanes a 7-5-1-2 record for 17 points through there 15 games played, that is good enough to currently occupy the first card spot. With a game in hand, they sit just one point behind the Medicine Hat Tigers for third in the division at 16 points. Whitehorse, Yukon product Dylan Cozens leads the team scoring race with 8 goals and 13 assists for 21 points in the 15 games, Captain Jordy Bellerive sits second with 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points. Taylor Ross holds the team goal lead at 10 and Penguins draft pick Calen Addison has 14 assists to lead his team. After their visit to Swift Current on Friday, the Hurricanes return home for a four game home stand starting November 9th vs the Hitmen.
