Hurricanes complete comeback in shootout victory

Taylor Ross tied it late and added a goal in the shootout as the Lethbridge Hurricanes came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-2 Friday night at the Enmax Centre. Reece Klassen added 29 saves and stoped four shooters during the shootout in the victory.

A back and forth first period saw the teams trade scoring chances. Both teams failed to score, including a power play chance for both sides. With no real highlights, the period ended scoreless and show a slight edge on the shot clock for Edmonton at 12-9.

The Oil Kings would come to play in the middle frame. Taking over and controlling much of the play.

They would strike first after being given a five-on-three power play, Vince Loschiavo buried a rebound for his 11th of the season. Assisted by Tret Fix-Wolansky and Connor MacDonald. It wouldn’t take long for the visitors to double their lead, just over five minutes later Jalen Luypen would finish a pretty passing play for this third goal from Aidan Lawson and Carter Souch. Oil Kings outshoot the Canes in the second period 15-5.

Headed into the final frame down 2-0, the Hurricanes had their work cut out for them. And they responded. A couple early shifts showed the home side were not going down without a fight. That work ethic paid off as Jake Elmer blasted home his 10th of the season just 4:32 into the period to cut the lead to one. Talyor Ross and Jadon Joesph were credited with the helpers.

Controlling much of the third period but unable to tie the game the Hurricanes pulled the goalie with just under two minutes to play.

With the extra skater, Taylor Ross would find the back of the net with just over one minute to play. His 11th goal was set up by Igor Merezkho and Jordy Bellerive. At two goals apiece, we were off to overtime.

After trading chances Edmonton thought they had won the game when Fix-Wolansky tucked his own rebound past Klassen but after the officials chatted it was determined no goal with the intent to blow the whistle after the original save, referee thinking Klassen had the puck covered. So we continued, but nothing could be solved before the buzzer.

The shootout would decide this back and forth contest. Vladimir Alistrov scored for the Oil Kings before Dylan Cozens with an impressive backhander, would tie the shootout. Taylor Ross scored and put the Canes up, that was followed by Klassen turning away Quinn Benjafield to earn the victory for the home side. Comeback complete. Final shots would be counted 37-31 Oil Kings.

Shooting the breeze: Canes would fail on their only man-advantage chance while Oil Kings were one-for-five a man up, including the one five-on-three. Klassen earning his eighth win on the season, he was also named the game first star. Hurricanes improve to 9-6-2-2 on the season while Edmonton drops to 13-7-1-2. With Red Deer winning as well they tied Edmonton for tops in the central, Lethbridge sits third. Canes are back on the ice Saturday for a date with the Moose Jaw Warriors as they continue the homestand, Meanwhile, the Oil Kings jet off home to welcome the Kelowna Rockets.