Hurricanes Beat ICE 4-1

CRANBROOK- Three third period goals helped the Hurricanes to A 4-1 against the Kootenay ICE last night.

Another good start to a hockey game for the Hurricanes. Just 45 second into the game last night, Cason Machacek scored on the Canes' first shot of the night to give Lethbridge a 1-0 lead. The ICE though would press to get the tying goal and on a bad line change by Lethbridge, the Canes' would get called for taking down Matt Fraser on a partial breakaway, resulting in a penalty shot for the ICE. Fraser beat Canes' goaltender Brandon Anderson on the penalty shot, but he couldn't beat the goalpost and the game would stay 1-0 Lethbridge after 20 minutes. After a slow start to the game, things really started to pick up. The shots were even 6-6 after one.

In the second, the ICE would turn up the heat big time. Kootenay continued to pound shots at the Lethbridge goal and if it wasn't Brandon Anderson coming up with a great saves, it was the his supporting cast out in front of him blocking shots. The ICE though managed to get one past Anderson late in the second when a wrap-around attempt by Matt Fraser was finished off by Max Reinhart. The game was tied 1-1 after two periods in this one. The ICE out shot Lethbridge 15-4 in that period and 21-10 overall after 40 minutes.

In the third, the Hurricanes would come out like a house on fire. Two goals in a span of a four and half minutes would put the visitors ahead 3-1. Ryon Moser scored early in the period to give the Canes' a 2-1 lead and then a minute later Mitch Maxwell scored his team-leading 27th goal of season on a break-away to silence the crowd and give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead. That was it for Kootenay goalie Nathan Lieuwen as he was replaced by Todd Mathews in goal. The Canes' added one more late when Cam Braes scored his 23rd of year to ice the game (no pun intended) for the Hurricanes. The Canes' get their first win of the season against Kootenay in five tries. The Hurricanes were out shot 31-19 in this one. The power plays weren't so good again. Kootenay finished the night 0/6 while the Canes' went 0/3. Brandon Anderson was the first star, Carter Bancks the second, and Max Reinhart took 3rd star honours.

Preston on the Week Ahead

Head Coach/G.M. Rich Preston told me last night that we could see Taylor Balog suit up for the Canes' next week against Regina and Moose Jaw when the Hurricanes head to Saskatchewan for a couple of games. Preston says it depends on whether Balog's current team in the Saskatchewan Midget Triple "A" league is still playing in the playoffs. Balog was acquired by Lethbridge back in December along with Graham Hood, a second Bantam pick in 2010 and first round draft choice in 2011 from the Pats in exchange for Carter Ashton, Craig Orfino, and a pick. Balog was a second round Bantam pick by Regina in '09. Preston feels Balog has a real good shot at making the Hurricanes line-up this fall.

Next Up

The Hurricanes next action is Tuesday when they host the Moose Jaw Warriors. It's the first two games between the two teams over the next week. The Hurricanes will travel to Moose Jaw on Saturday. Game time Tuesday from the Enmax Centre is 7pm (MT). The Hurricanes have six game remaining on the season.

Thanks,
Pat