Erica Perreaux

Dylan Cozens powers Hurricanes over ICE

The Lethbridge Hurricanes returned home Friday night to kick off a double-dip against the Winnipeg ICE. In a game that felt like a playoff matchup, it was the Hurricanes who earned the two points thanks to co-captain Dylan Cozens’ four-point night that included his fifth career hat trick. That hat trick goal turned out to be the game winner in a 5-4 decision.

From the get-go in this contest, it was clear that both teams were ready for a heated battle. Both enjoyed early zone time but were unable to convert their chances. The early highlight was a great chance for Oliver Okuliar in close, but ICE netminder Liam Hughes was equal to the task.

The ICE struck first in this one on a five-on-three power play. Michal Teply tallied his team-leading 25th on the season. Peyton Krebs and Benjamin Zloty registered the helpers. That lead lasted only 15 seconds until Dylan Cozens collected the loose puck on the penalty kill, and with a beautiful forehand-backhand move, beat Hughes and tied this one at 1-1. It was Cozens’ 30th of the season, unassisted. The Yukon native struck again just over a minute later, poking home his 31st of the season to give the Hurricanes 2-1 lead. Calen Addison and Alex Cotton were credited with the assists.

Dylan Cozens Photo by Erica Perreaux

The Hurricanes got off to a quick start in period two when Dino Kambietz recorded his 14th of the season with a steal and score 44 seconds into the middle frame. That is the only goal scored in the period. The action did continue at both ends, but it was the goalies who stole the show. Both Hughes and Carl Tetachuk stood tall, making 10 saves each. This game headed to the third with a score of 3-1 Hurricanes.

Much like the second period, the home team got off to a fast start. Alex Cotton blasted home his 18th of the season, a power-play marker that came 2:24 into the third. Cozens and Addison were credited with the assists.

With a three-goal lead, this one almost felt over, but that was not the case. Winnipeg went to work and found a way to pull within one with a pair of quick goals. First, it was Teply who ripped one top shelf for his second of the night before Cole Muir added his tenth just over a minute later.

(Photo credit – Zachary Peters) Teply scored back to back goals.

The visiting ICE continued to push, trying to find the tying goal but it was not to be on this night. Cozens on the counter-attack beat Hughes five-hole for the hat trick goal to restore the two-goal advantage for Lethbridge and seal the win for the home team. The ICE did get a late goal to pull again within one, but it wasn’t enough. The Hurricanes held on for the 5-4 win.

Coach Brent Kisio was overall happy with the effort of his team. “I thought both teams were playing hard. We responded well and didn’t give up many chances.” He went on to praise Cozens who was unavailable after the game after he took a puck to the face late in the contest. “He was outstanding, one of our captains, and he led by example tonight.”

Shooting the breeze: This was the first game back in Lethbridge for goaltender Liam Hughes who was briefly with the Hurricanes last season. He made 25 saves in the loss. His counterpart Carl Tetachuk made 22 for the win, his team-leading 19th.

Rookie Michal Teply’s three-point night increased his rookie scoring lead to 54 points. He also leads the ICE in goals at 26.

Dylans Cozens, with his four-point night, increased his team lead to 71 points. He has also taken over the goal-scoring lead at 32. Oliver Okuliar sits right behind him with 31 goals. With his 71 points, Cozens sits sixth in WHL scoring.

Both teams went 1-5 on the power play.

Final shots read 30-26 for the Hurricanes.

Next up is a rematch between these same two teams Saturday, again in Lethbridge.