Lethbridge Hurricanes annual Team Red versus Team White scrimmage went down Sunday afternoon at the Enamx Center in Lethbridge. As the unofficial kickoff to the season for the club, the scrimmage represents one last chance for players to impress the team’s general manager, coaching staff, and scouts.
It was a fun atmosphere around the rink in front of a few fans that showed up to watch this showdown. The players would put on a pretty good show.
Team Red got the party started with a quick goal 1:54 into the first period. Logan Barlage used his speed and skill to put it home. Calen Addison collected his lone point of the game on the assist, while roster hopeful Joe Arntsen was credited with the second assist.
Local product and overager D-Jay Jarome doubled the lead on a pretty play, putting the puck up and over Bryan Thomson. The 2-0 goal came at the 6:04 mark of the period with assists handed to Joe Arntsen — his second point — and Chace Oliver.
That concluded the scoring in period one with shots favoring Team White 15-8.
Another roster hopeful kicked off the scoring in the middle frame. Chase Wheatcroft slotted home the puck to give Team Red a 3-0 lead at 8:50 of the second. Alex Thacker and Rylan Thiessen recorded the helpers.
The domination continued just four minutes later when Oliver scored for his second point of the night, with assists to Barlage and Jerome. 4-0 was the score after 40 minutes.
Shots continued to favor Team White at 31-17.
With a quick start to the final frame, Team White notched their lone goal of the game. Jacob Boucher deflected one behind Erick Roest to cut the lead to 4-1. Noah Boyko and Alex Cotton picked up the helpers.
That’s the closest Team White would come. Team Red went on to add two more goals in the frame. First, it was Wheatcroft, recording his second of the night from Thacker and Tyson Phare. That was followed by 2003-born Magnus Einarson, who finished the scoring. Barlage and Jarome got credit for the assists.
The final score was 6-1 for Team Red, and shots were all even at 36-36.
Carl Tetachuk recorded 20 saves before giving way to Erick Roest who added 16 saves as they combined for the win. Thomson only picked up 11 saves in his half-game, while his backup — newly-signed Jared Picklyk — stole the show in the crease with an impressive 25 save effort in the loss.
Veterans D-Jay Jarome and Logan Barlage were the big standouts and led the way with three points each. Both had a goal and two helpers.
Lethbridge will kick off the preseason Friday and Saturday with a home-and-home set with the Red Deer Rebels. Friday will be played in Red Deer and Saturday back in Lethbridge. Game times are set for 7 p.m. in both cities.
