Lethbridge Hurricanes got 34 saves from Reece Klassen while wearing their new navy blue jerseys, to help double up the visiting Calgary Hitmen 4-2.
Jadon Joesph scored just a minute into the hockey game to record his ninth of the season. Assists on the play went to Jackson Sheppard and Jake Elmer.
It was a great start for the home side but that would be the lone highlight for either team in what was an evenly played but lackluster period. Unfortunately, that would be the theme for much of this game. Nothing much between them apart from the shot clock the saw the Hitmen hold the 13-4 edge. Most of the shots came from the outside, none seeming too difficult for Klassen.
The second period saw the most action as an eight minutes span saw each team score a pair.
Calgary would get on the board 7:22 into the middle frame with a Luke Colemen snap for his fifth of the season. Egor Zamula and Vladislav Yeromenko earn the assists. The tie would not last long as the Hurricanes responded the next shift with added pressure. Calen Addison would blast home his fourth of the season to give the home side the 2-1 advantage. Justin Hall and Jordy Bellerive credited with the setup on the Addison goal at the 8:13 mark. Hurricanes seemed to control play after, applying some pressure to the visitors which paid off in a WHL first goal for defencemen Alex Cotton. His seeing eye shot slipping past netminder Carl Stankowski to make to 3-2. Cotton was set up by some very good work from Dylan Cozens, who created room and space. Logan Barlage was also in on the goal.
A cool moment for the Langley BC product who in celebrating his first goal was sprayed by teammates on his fly by the bench following the tally.
Calgary would end the partying mood quickly, answering with the tying goal just two minutes later. Josh Prokop snaped home his fifth goal of the season from Riley Stotts off a Hurricane turnover.
That goal sparked the Hitmen who carried the play the rest of the frame and the shot clock showed the result of that 26-11.
With 20 minutes to go in a one goal game, neither team could manage pressure or puck possession.
The lone highlight came from Calgary goalie Stankowski who absolutely robbed Jordy Bellerive in the slot. Flashing his pad to kick away the effort of the Hurricanes captain. The Hitmen would pull the goalie with two minutes to play in a last ditch effort to tie the game but it was not meant to be.
Zach Cox found the empty net, his fourth of the year to seal the win for the home side. Taylor Ross and Jordy Bellerive received assists on the insurance marker. Final shots favored the boys in white 36-19.
Shootin’ the Breeze: Forward Keltie Jeri Leon sat out with an upper body injury. Both teams went 0-1 on the powerplay in front of a crowd of 4555. Hurricanes move to 8-5-2-2 on the season while the HItmen fell to 5-12-2-0. The win ends a two game losing streak for Lethbridge, who are now 5-2-2-1 in the last ten games.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #31 Reece Klassen (34 saves)
2) Hitmen – #9 Egor Zamula (1 assist)
3) ‘Canes – #28 Alex Cotton (1 goal)
The Hurricanes welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings on Monday, November 12th at the ENMAX Centre for Military Appreciation night while the Hitmen are off back home to welcome the Kootenay Ice Sunday.
