Jake Leschychyn‘s first career hat-trick paced the Lethbridge Hurricanes Saturday night has they defeated the Calgary Hitmen 4-1 to take a 2-0 series lead in their best-of-seven series.
Carl Tetachuk was terrific in the victory, making several incredible stops during his 32 saves performance. While Jack McNaughton gave his team a chance to stay in it despite allowing four goals on 32 shots.
Nick Henry started the game off with fireworks, just 25 seconds in he took a Ty Prefontaine pass at center ice and danced through the Hitmen back end and tucked one around McNaughton. It was a highlight reel goal and his second of the series.
With the crowd energized the Hurricanes continued to pour it on.
The Hurricanes power play went to work just one night after going 0-for-4, when Dakota Krebs was called for holding.
This time the home team made no mistake as Leschyshyn redirected a Calen Addison blast from the point. McNaughton didn’t have much chance to make the save.
Leschyshyn’s second of the game and series came almost seven minutes later. Leschyshyn smacked home the rebound of a Dylan Cozens shot in the final minute of the opening frame.
The Hurricanes headed down the tunnel to cheers from the home crowd, as they had staked themselves to an early three goal advantage.
The middle frame went scoreless, but was filled with intensity has both teams would get involved with the rough stuff.
It was a penalty filled 20 minutes as the hate meter filled to the brim.
Most noteworthy was a scrum involving Ty Prefontaine and Mark Kastelic, after which Kastelic did not return.
Tetachuk kept Calgary off the board late in the second period by absolutely robbing Dakota Krebs point blank on a rebound. with a stretch across the crease. He somehow managed to pin the puck with his blocker and pad.
The Hurricanes headed into the final break leading 3-0.
The two teams would trade some chances to open the third period before Leschyshyn would cap off the hat trick at the 8:57 mark of the period. Nick Henry assisted on the goal for his second point of the night and captain Jordy Bellerive earned an assist.
Krebs, arguably the best Hitmen on the night would be rewarded for his play as he broke the shutout bid mid-period, his seeing eye shot found its way through.
But that was as close as the game would get.
Over the final few minutes the pushing and shoving would take center stage and be capped off with a last minute line brawl. The tone was set for Game 3 back in Calgary.
After the dust settled the Hitmen collected 67 minutes in penalties and the Hurricanes 73.
Final shots on the night were almost even at 33-32 for the visitors.
Shooting the breeze: Power plays played a bit part as the Hurricanes were 2-for-4 with man advantage, the Hitmen power play went 0-for-7. The Stat of the night comes from the faceoff dot as both teams went 50% ,winning 31 draws each.
Lethbridge swept the three stars, Leschyshyn was named the first star for his three-goal performance, Tetachuk took the second star. He has now stopped 63-of-66 shots in the series. Henry was named the third star.
Game 3 is set for Tuesday night in Calgary, attendance was announced at 3788.
