Erica Perreaux

Brett Davis records a hat trick to lead Hurricanes over the Warriors

Scoring goals 21, 22, and 23 on the season, Oakbank, MB, native Brett Davis recorded his first career hat trick while pacing the Lethbridge Hurricanes to an 8-2 thumping of the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Hurricanes also received three-point nights from Dylan Cozens and Oliver Okuliar as they snapped a three-game losing skid on Friday night.

This game wasn’t all roses for the home side. In fact, the Hurricanes’ start was pretty shaky and the Warriors jumped all over a chance to open the scoring.

After a scramble at centre ice, Calder Anderson collected the puck and broke in on Hurricanes goaltender Bryan Thomson and beat him five-hole to gave Moose Jaw the 1-0 lead just 2:13 in.

That lead was short-lived. Just two minutes later, while enjoying a power play, Brett Davis rifled home his first of the night.

Moose Jaw responded on a power play of its own to retake the lead in the opening period seesaw battle.

Martin Lang scored his 13th goal of the season from Ryder Korczak and Chase Hartje, and the Warriors led the game 2-1.

But, much like the first time, the Hurricanes responded quickly.

Dino Kambeitz made a nifty move in tight before he finished for his 15th goal of the season. Alex Thacker and Ty Prefontaine had the helpers. From there, the Hurricanes took over with wave after wave of attack. Warriors goalie Brock Gould stood tall to keep the game 2-2 headed into the intermission. He had 13 saves in the opening 20 minutes.

Brett Davis reacts to his game-tying goal, Photo by Erica Perreaux

The second period seemed to have been played downhill for the home side, as the Hurricanes picked up where they left off at the end of the first.

It took just 4:15 into the middle stanza for Lethbridge to strike. Danila Palivko unleashed a rocket from the point that found a way through for only his second goal of the season. Assists were credited to Kambeitz and Thacker who both collected their second point of the night.

From there, it was an avalanche of scoring chances, shots and goals for the Hurricanes. Davis had his second of the night, Zach Stringer added his 10th goal and Okuliar popped in his 32nd on the season to open up a 6-2 lead before the period ended. All three of those goals were set up by Dylan Cozens, all while Lethbridge outshot Moose Jaw 18-3 in the period.

The final period was all about steering it home for the Hurricanes and that’s what they did. Taking no chances, but still managing to carry the play, Davis completed his hat trick 6:14 into the period, tipping in a shot from Calen Addison. The fourth line got a chance on the power play late in the game to finish off the scoring for Lethbridge. Jett Jones put home his seventh goal of the season. The Hurricanes poured on another 15 shots in the period while only allowing four.

Lethbridge ran away with this game, outscoring Moose Jaw 8-2.

Thurston and Jones goal celebration, Photo by Erica Perreaux

Coach Brent Kisio said it was nice to go into their week off with a win while having fun with Hockey Night in Canada jerseys with players’ nicknames on the back. “We’ve been in a slump so its nice to see. We have played a lot of hockey so to get the win (was good). Now a couple of days off to enjoy family, recoup for the stretch run.”

Shooting the breeze: Final shots on the night were 48-13 in favor of Lethbridge. Gould made 40 saves in the loss. Thomson had a tough start in net for the Hurricanes, allowing two goals on three shots before shutting the door. He finished with 11 saves in the win.

Lethbridge went a perfect 3-for-3 with the man advantage on the night. Moose Jaw managed one goal on its two chances.

The win snapped a three-game losing skid for the Hurricanes who now have a week off before their next game. For the Warriors, they end a season-long seven-game road trip going 0-5-2-0.

Danila Palivko’s second goal of the season was also his first career game-winning goal.

Brett Davis’ hat trick is surprisingly his first in the WHL. The overage forward was very excited post-game. “It feels amazing,” he stated with a large smile.

The Hurricanes finished the season series a perfect 4-0-0-0 record vs the Warriors this season.

Next up for the Hurricanes, after a week off, is a matchup with the division-leading Edmonton Oil Kings next Friday. The Warriors return home and will also have a week off before they take on Swift Current in a home-and-home set.