Calgary Hitmen rolled into Lethbridge and stole game 5 from the Hurricanes 6-5 and took control of the first round series they now lead 3-2. The return of Hitmen captain Mark Kastlelic helped spark the victory as he recorded two goals and an assist to lead the visitors.
Emotions ran high throughout much of the opening frame, but it was the goalies stealing the show early.
Both Carl Tetachuk and Jack McNaughton were dialed in.
The Hitmen found a way to break through the armour of Tetachuk first when Luke Coleman found the back of the net on the power play. Vladislav Yeryomenko and Riley Stotts added the assists.
The Hitmen would build on their lead with under five to play in the first period as they would convert yet another power play. Captain Mark Kastelic, who returned after missing the last two games, smacked it home for the 2-0. James Malm and Igor Zamula got the helpers.
Not quite a minute later Hurricane Captain Jordy Bellerive gots his team on the board as he fired one past the Calgary netminder to cut the lead to 2-1. The goal was Bellerive’s first of the playoffs, assists from Calen Addison and Alex Cotton.
The visitors quieted the crowd and regained their two goal lead just 36 seconds into the second period.
A defensive miscue by the Hurricanes led to Josh Prokop‘s third goal of the series. Luke Coleman and Dakota Krebs set up early marker. That goal begin a period in which these teams would go shot for shot exchanging goals.
The Hurricanes cut into the lead at the 2:59 mark of the period, Jake Leschyshyn buried a rebound on a rare blunder by McNaughton. Nick Henry and Ty Prefontaine earned assists on the goal.
Once again the two goal lead would be restored.
Just under two minutes later Calgary defencemen Yeryomenko ripped home his second of the playoffs, Cael Zimmerman and Lane Toder with the set up on the 4-2 goal. That was the end for Tetachuk in goal in the second, as rookie Bryan Thomson came in to make a relief appearance.
Lethbridge pushed back through the middle of the period and earn themselves a power play in which they again pulled to within one.
Nick Henry tucked home his third in this series from Bellerive and Addison who both collect a second point on the night. The home side continued to push and finally found a way to tie the game up.
Once again on the power play, a Logan Barlage blast that found its way through. The goal was Barlage’s second goal of the postseason. Assists on that tying goal were given to Igor Merezhko and Dylan Cozens.
The teams hit reset late in the second in a 4-4 game and it was the HItmen who “re-broke the ice” has they got a bounce that found its way past Thomson in the Lethbridge net. Zimmerman got credit for the and it gave the Hitmen a 5-4 lead late in the second period.
They would add another before the buzzer sounded.
Kastelic scored his second of the night and third of the series for a 6-4 lead after forty minutes.
Carl Tetachuk would come out to start the final period for the Hurricanes.
A break for the home team as they received an early 2-man advantage for 41 seconds, but the Hitmen were equal to the task and killed off both penalties.
The Hitmen then controlled much of the period as they tried to steer home the game.
The Hurricanes would get a little life with 4:29 to play as Leschyshyn capitalized for his second goal of the contest on the power play to make it a 6-5 game. Assists on the play to Bellerive and Addison who both finished the night with three points.
That was as close as the game would get, Lethbridge pulled their goalie for the extra attacker in an attempt to get the tying goal but they ran out of time and Calgary held on for the game 5 victory and a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 is Sunday back in Calgary where the Hitmen will try to advance.
Final shots saw the Hitmen firing 42 shots and the Hurricanes managed 34.
Shooting the breeze: Special teams played a huge part in this game, both teams converted with the man advantage. Hitmen would go 2-for-4 while the Hurricanes finished 3-for-8. Goaltenders on both sides were busy, McNaughton stood tall in the win with 29 saves while split duty in the Hurricanes net, Tetachuk stopped 32 in his 43:18 played and Thomson managed 4 saves on 6 shots in his debut playoff action.
