The Lethbridge Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-0 lead early to pace themselves to a 5-2 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings. Carl Tetachuk was outstanding in the win making 25 saves, adding an assist and rookie Joe Arntsen recorded his first career goal to steal the victory.
It took just three minutes for the Hurricanes to strike in this one. Dino Kambeitz hit from the slot for his fifth of the season to open the scoring. The assists on the play credited to Koletrane Wilson and Tetachuk. The Hurricanes netminder was also strong defensively in the opening frame, stopping all 10 shots he faced.
The team gave their goalie some run support, scoring with just over a minute to play in the first. Jett Jones in the right place at the right time recorded his second of the season from Danila Palivko and Noah Boyko. That goal came just seconds after a power play had expired and it sent the Hurricanes into the intermission up 2-0.
Brandon pushed back in the second period but once again it was strong netminding that kept them at bay. The Lethbridge native made 11 total saves during the second period.
Dylan Cozens and Wilson combined to give the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead just past the midway point of the period. Wilson pinched in from the point and his initial shot was stopped but Cozens drove the net to poke the rebound into a yawning net. That was Cozens’ ninth of the season and gave Wilson his first multi-point game of the season.
Brandon finally broke through a ruined the shutout bid late in the second period. Nolan Ritchie’s first of the season from Chad Nychuk and Lynden McCallum. Back in the game at 3-1 headed into the final period.
The Hurricanes did get a bit of a scare in the early portion of the third period. Ridly Greig ran over Tetachuk and made contact with the head of the goaltender. He laid on the ice for a few minutes before shaking it off and was able to stay in the game. Lethbridge received a power play as Greig was sent off for checking to the head.
But it was the Wheat Kings who capitalize with Greig in the box. They pulled within one as Cole Reinhardt was stopped on the first attempt but not on a second chance at it. That short handed goal was Reinhardt’s sixth goal of the season and came unassisted.
That was as close as the visitors could get though. Tetachuk stood tall in goal and the Hurricanes held the pressure from the Wheat Kings at bay. It was Oliver Okulair that sealed the deal for the home side, finding the empty net for his seventh of the season.
With a few seconds left at the end of the game the Hurricanes added one more off a faceoff deep. Jones won the draw back to Joe Arntsen who blasted home his first career goal and it gave Lethbridge the 5-2 win.
Coach Brent Kisio was pleased overall with the game and the result. “I thought we played hard. I thought Brandon played a good game. We had separation there early and we knew they would fight back that’s how Dave (Lowry) coaches. But we found a way to get it done.”
Kisio noted that he thought special teams could have been better. “Well, we didn’t do a very good job. We had a big kill late but they had a power-play goal and they had a shorthanded goal. So we lost that.”
When asked about Tetachuk and any worry there was concern over his goalie after being run over he quickly dismissed it .” No, I don’t think so. He finished the game so should be okay.”
Tetachuk himself said he felt fine. “Nothing to worry about,” he noted, Tetachuk went on to credit the team for the way they battled – “felt good in the beginning. That team was a little bit sloppy in the second there but then we got to play really good defensively helped me out a lot. The team came together really well, all the young guys, pushing hard and got it done.”
Shooting the Breeze: As mentioned by coach Kisio Brandon did get a power play goal, going 1/4 on the man advantage, Lethbridge went 0/4 and gave up one shorthanded marker on their power plays.
It is worth noting that these teams were almost 50/50 in the faceoff dot. Brandon won 33 draws, Lethbridge 31 draws. Logan Barlage led the way winning 10/17 of his draws.
Okuilar and Cozens are now tied for the team lead in points at 15. Alex Cotton has quietly put together a nice run and now sits third in team scoring with 12 points that include nine assists.
Next up for the Hurricanes is a date with the arch rival Tigers. Medicine Hat will come into Lethbridge Saturday night after dropping a 4-2 decision in Edmonton Friday night. The Wheat Kings will continue their road trip in Swift Current Saturday night against the Broncos.
