After completing a road trip out east, going 2-2-0-0, the Hurricanes returned home for a quieter weekend with just two games. They welcomed the Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors to the Enmax center Friday and Saturday night. The Hurricanes were successful in those games, winning both in very different ways.
Game Notes:
On Friday, the Hurricanes were part of a game in which 17 minors penalties were called between the teams. Both Lethbridge’s and Regina’s penalty kills stood tall. The two teams only managed one power-play goal apiece on the night. Lethbridge went 1-for-8, while Regina was 1-for-9. The Hurricanes were victorious in a 2-1 decision.
Saturday saw a more open, free-flowing game and the offense came to life. After Moose Jaw dropped their game the previous night in Calgary 7-3 to the Hitmen, they showed up in a big way, taking a 3-1 lead in the middle of the first over the host before the Hurricanes battled back for a 4-3 lead. Moose Jaw would not be denied and forced overtime before Logan Barlage rifled a shot past the visiting netminder to give Lethbridge the 5-4 win.
The Hurricanes’ week finished Tuesday night in Red Deer. Power plays were the story in this one as the two teams combined for five goals on the man advantage. Lethbridge extended its win streak to five games with the 4-3 win. Each team now has a win in the season series in the other’s barn. Dino Kambeitz and Koletrane Wilson both recorded a goal and an assist in the victory.
Logan Barlage
Scoring in Saturday’s overtime gave the Humboldt native his sixth career game-winning goal. Barlage is off to a terrific start for the Hurricanes, recording nine points in his 12 games played so far this season, including two goals, both of which were shorthanded markers.
Coming up
The Hurricanes are set to welcome a pair of teams this weekend as, once again, they will play back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.
Friday, they take on the Brandon Wheat Kings. This will be the first meeting of the season between the two teams. They will see one another next weekend as well when the Hurricanes are on their Manitoba road trip. Brandon comes into this one following a trip to the US Division, going 1-2-0-0 so far. In their last game, Brandon dropped a 4-1 game to the Winterhawks in Portland, so they will be looking to bounce back. The Wheat Kings are 4-7-0-0 on the season.
Saturday will see rival Medicine Hat in town for their second trip to the Enmax Centre this season. Back on opening night, they came back to beat the Hurricanes in a shootout. The Tigers see themselves just two points out of the top spot in the division, sitting just behind the Edmonton Oil Kings and ahead of Lethbridge. Medicine Hat is coming off a disappointing effort last Sunday where they built up a 3-0 lead over Calgary only to see the Hitmen score six unanswered for a 6-3 final. The Tigers will play Friday in Edmonton before they visit Lethbridge Saturday.
Lethbridge will then begin a road trip next week beginning vs. the ICE for their first visit to Winnipeg since their relocation.
Milestones:
Calen Addison sits just three points away from 175 career points.
With a goal and an assist vs. the Rebels Tuesday night, Dino Kambeitz has eclipsed the 50 career point mark. He now sits at 51.
Koletrane Wilson is just nine games away from 150 career games played.
Shooting the breeze:
With no points against Red Deer, Dylan Cozens was held pointless for only the second game this season, with the first coming against Prince Albert. Cozens still has 14 points on the season in nine games played.
Dylan Cozens and Calen Addison have been named to the Canada Russia Challenge to take place next month.
Hurricanes prospect Reid Mackay has been named to the Team Alberta U16 2019 WHL Cup roster.
