SWIFT CURRENT, SK. - The Lethbridge Hurricanes erased a 4-1 3rd period deficit, scoring 5 times in the final 15 minutes to stun the Swift Current Broncos 6-4 Tuesday afternoon.
The Swift Current Broncos would get things going offensively in this early afternoon New Year's Day game. Former Hurricane Ryan Moser took a pass out in front of the Lethbridge goal and lifted a backhander by Ty Rimmer to put the home team ahead 1-0. The Hurricanes thought the had tied the game when Axel Blomqvist put the puck in the next on a Lethbridge power play, but after video review, the goal was disallowed and the Broncos held on to their one goal. lead. Before the end of the period, Swift Current would jump ahead by a paid when Coda Gordon scored. That made it 2-0 Broncos after 20 minutes. Swift Current scored twice on 7 shots in the period as the Canes out shot the Broncos 9-7.
In the second, the Hurricanes would cut the Swift Current lead in half. After failing to score on a 5-on-3 power play, the Canes ended up scoring on a 5-on-4 power play right after. Brady Ramsay snapped home his 11th goal of the season to make it a 2-1 game in favour of the Broncos. Dan Johnston recorded his 31st point of the season on that goal. That matches his total all of last season in 17 less games (WHL Facts). Before the end of the period, the Broncos would get that one back. Coda Gordan notched his second goal of the afternoon to give Swift Current a 3-1 lead through two periods of play. The Broncos out shot Lethbridge 21-18 up to this point.
In the third, Swift Current would make it a 3 goal lead when Adam Lowry scored early. That put the Broncos ahead 4-1. It looked liked that would be the nail in the Hurricanes coffin, but not so fast. The Hurricanes would come storming back with 5 straight goals in the final 10 minutes. Tyler Wong got things started with a goal from nearly behind the goal line when he scored his 2nd of the season. That made it 4-2 Swift Current. Less than a minute later, Sam McKechnie put home his 18th of the season. That cut the lead to 4-3. Shortly after that Lethbridge would tie things up when Remi Laurencelle slammed home his 3rd of the year. Just like that the game was tied at 4-4. The Hurricanes weren't done there. On the power play, Dan Johnston let a bullet go off the goal post and in to give Lethbridge a 5-4 lead, their first of the game. that was his 7th of the year. Swift Current had a great chance to tie it on a late penalty shot, but Graham Black hit the crossbar. The Canes sealed the game with an empty-netter from Graham hood, his 7th of the season. The Hurricanes would win 6-4 and earn a huge two points on the road. The final shots were even at 36-36. Lethbridge was 2/6 on the power play and Swift Current 1/4. It was a wild game wild unreal swings in momentum.
The victory improves the Hurricanes to 19-17-1-4 on the season and now 4 points ahead of Swift Current in the Eastern Conference standings.
TRADE DEADLINE LOOMING
The WHL's trade deadline is Thursday January 10th. I asked Head Coach and GM Rich Preston about the deadline and if he's talking to any other teams above making a move or two. Preston: "Oh sure. There's always a lot going on and guys are talking. The question is whether you can make something happen or not. There was a big trade today (Jan. 1) between Prince Albert and Medicine Hat so we will see what happens."
NEXT UP
The Hurricanes next action is Thursday (Jan. 3) when they kick off a four game home stand against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Game time is 7:00 pm MST. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. Over the next week the Hurricanes will host Edmonton, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, and Vancouver before playing 5 straibht games away from the ENMAX Centre.
Thanks,
Pat
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Wow! What an awesome game to listen to. Especially with Pat's enthusiastic play by play. I was about to turn off the game when it was 4-1 SC and then all of a sudden it it was 4-2, 4-3 etc so I kept listening. Man am I glad I did. What a comeback.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the 4th line lead the way with Laurencelle and Wong getting the Canes back in the game. This proves what a lot of us have been saying all year. Don't count this team out. This was a classic 4 point game. We were either tied with Speedy Creek or 4 points up. Also now even if the Blades win tonight they will not be tied with us. Had we lost and the Blades won we would basically be in 7th place. Now the Canes are in 5th with a bit of breathiong room to boot.
Not to oversell the importance of this win, but come end of this season, let's see where we stand compared to Swift. This is the type of game that can make the difference between being in the playoffs or not.
HUGE COMEBACK WIN BY THE CANES.
canesrock
Big win! I stopped listening after 4-1, so I was completely surprised when I tuned back in to hear they had won! A 4-point game for sure. Good to see the PP get untracked. Hopefully, this leads to a few more W's and give the boys some confidence.
ReplyDeleteJohnston leading the way once again. Just an overall solid player. It would be nice to see him get a chance at the next level (AHL or NHL). Great leader!
The team will need every point they can get with most of their final games coming on the road.
Just read about the trade between the Tigers/Raiders. I'm unsure how PA thinks they're better off after giving up a vet d-man and forward who can score (not to mention the bantam pick and the '97 born defenceman)?? Busenius might be able to play in the offensive end, but he doesn't have a clue what to do in his own end being a -22!! Wasn't overly impressed with either player PA got when I saw them play at the Enmax. Curious trade for PA.
Darren
Which proves Darren no lead is safe in this league and its not over till it's over!!
ReplyDeleteDarren. Johnston is the best D-man that nobody ever heard of. He has quietly become the best player on the Canes. The rest of the league is going to take notice of him sooner or later. He is a dominant player who can change the pace and the flow of games.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say he is the Hurricane's best player, I am taking Rimmer into account. Rimmer got us to where we are at this point in the season, but Johnston is slowly but surely catching up to Ty for the Canes best player. Today Rimmer would probably get the most votes from Canes fans, but #5 may well end up having a better career after the WHL.
I hope both he and Rimmer get a shot at the next level of Hockey. They both deserve a break or 2 when it comes to the next level. They are quality kids and awesome hockey players.
canesrock
I have said it before I think Remi is verging on breaking out and becoming a consistent point producer for us. Love his work ethic, skating and vision just wish he was promoted to line 2-3 at min. Great comeback! HLR.
ReplyDeleteFunny how most think we got took in the Sbisa trade. Quietly Johnston has given us 180 plus games and consistency on the back end. Guess Port can always rub Sven in our face. HLR.
ReplyDeleteGreat comeback win by the canes!! This should definately be a character builder for this team. They did not collapse and fold but stayed chipping away to eventually get the win!
ReplyDeleteI think that RP should get at least one other solid defenseman for this team. Johnston and hackman are the only really solid d-pairing that this team has got. Pilon is a solid d-man as well considering his age. One more solid guy on the back end that knows how to control play in their own zone would be a huge boost for this team.
The canes also need to try bring in a power forward to help out all of the smaller forwards. It would be huge to get a guy that can stand up to the other bigger teams and that can produce offensively as well. I think that if they can get an additional d-man plus power forward they could become a force to be reckoned with come playoff time!!
GO CANES GO
Andrew
I watched the game on the internet broadcast and it was one of the most exciting comebacks I have seen. Tremendous effort and great to see the contributions from the young guys Wong and Laurencelle. The Swift broadcasters called Johnston one of the top defenceman in the WHL. He is right. Not sure what more he can do, points, hits, PP, PK probably 30 plus minutes a night. Canes D is so so young...no 19 year olds 4 rookies and two sophmores. They will be great in the future but still learning. As mentioned to go anywhere this year they probably need 1 experienced D man on the backend and another forward who can contribute. Regardless this year has been a fun year to watch so far and I hope the building is full for the next 3 home games they deserve the support TD
ReplyDeleteYep Pat, you're right....I have egg on my face for turning off the game!
ReplyDeleteDarren