Despite a Dylan Cozens hat trick, the Lethbridge Hurricanes could not get past the Brandon Wheat Kings and their two power-play markers. Penalties cost the team the game in a 4-3 win for the visitors on Saturday night.
Ridly Greig had a goal and an assist to lead the way for the visitors. Ethan Kruger made 26 saves in the win.
Both teams were coming off an emotional win the night before, and early on in this game, you could tell that it took some time for them to settle into this one.
Lethbridge opened the scoring — Cozens with his 34th goal of the season from Alex Cotton and Oliver Okuliar. That goal allowed the Hurricanes to settle in.
Brandon eventually found its legs and took over the final portion of the period. They collected ten opening period shots but were unable to get one past Bryan Thomson, who was brilliant.
The Wheat Kings came out in the second period flying.
They were the better team early and it showed as it did not take them long to tie the game up. Greig collected his 24th goal of the season just over three minutes into the middle frame. Dom Schmiemann and Lynden McCallum were credited with assists on the play.
Building off the momentum, Brandon continued to get chances, highlighted by a breakaway opportunity for Luka Burzan, but he was unable to beat Thomson.
Penalty trouble then struck the Hurricanes, and the Wheat Kings took advantage. Connor Gutenburg sniped his 15th goal of the season on the power play to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. His goal was assisted by McCallum, his second of the night.
The Hurricanes managed to get it back shortly after on a nifty play from Cozens who dished the puck to Okuliar. He then put the puck back to the front of the net where Cozens was able to tap it home and tie the hockey game at two. It was Cozens’ 35th goal of the season.
So it was anyone’s game headed into the third period, and it was the Wheat Kings who took advantage.
Marcus Sekundiak put on a bit of a show in the Hurricanes end as he beat Calen Addison wide, drove the net and found the top shelf for his ninth goal of the season — an incredible shot that gave Brandon a 3-2 lead.
Penalty trouble again stuck the Hurricanes, who gifted the Wheat Kings a full four-minute opportunity after a double minor was assessed to Trevor Thurston for a slew-foot. To make matters worse, Ty Nash was serving a penalty already, so the Wheat Kings had some time at five-on-three.
Thomson was strong in helping Lethbridge kill off the first part of the double minor and the five-on-three highlighted by an outstanding save on a beautiful pass play that should have been a tic-tac-toe goal. Thomson denied the goal with his glove on the line for a highway robbery type save.
But it wasn’t enough. Brandon found a way on the back half of the lengthy power play to increase its lead to 4-2. Cole Reinhardt scored his 31st goal of the season from Greig and Ben McCarthy.
From there, the Wheat Kings looked to steer it home, not taking any chances or giving the Hurricanes much to work with.
A little hope was given back to the home team late in the period as Cozens capped off his hat trick with just over two minutes to go. From his backside, he flipped his 36th goal of the season over Kruger. That was as close as the Hurricanes could get with the late period push and the goalie pulled, falling 4-3.
Coach Kisio didn’t mince his words after this game. “We weren’t very good, didn’t have much going there. They were the better team, they deserved to win. Our energy levels were low. We looked tired and disinterested.” With the team playing the second of a three-in-three, Kisio said the refocus is important here. “Always have to refocus, we talked about the bust weekend and being ready.”
Shooting the breeze: Despite the loss, Hurricanes netminder Bryan Thomson was outstanding, including the highlight reel stop. The Moose Jaw native made 34 saves. His performance earned him some praise from his coach who also commented on the save everyone is talking about. “Unbelievable save and, like I said, it gave us a chance. You know he did his job, he saw some breakaways. It was an unbelievable save there but we didn’t play in front of him.”
Special teams played a big part in this one. The Wheat Kings went 2-for-7 on the man advantage while the Hurricanes were 0-for-3.
Next up for the Hurricanes is the final of three games in three nights. They start a four-game road trip in Calgary versus the Hitmen. The Wheat Kings are off until next Friday when they begin a home-and-home set with the Prince Albert Raiders.
