Raiders Beat Lethbridge Hurricanes 2-1 in Overtime

PRINCE ALBERT, SK. - Josh Morrissey scored the game winner as the Prince Albert Raiders beat the Lethbridge Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime.

Not much to speak of in the opening period of this game.  Both clubs played to a 0-0 tie, but the Raiders and Hurricanes had some decent scoring chances, with the best opportunity coming late when the Hurricanes were awarded a penalty shot.  Sam McKechnie though was stopped by Raiders' goaltender Luke Siemens and the game would remain scoreless through 20 minutes of play.  The Canes out shot PA 13-12.

In the second, the Raiders would open the scoring. Carson Perreaux's shot beat Ty Rimmer, went off the post and in giving PA a 1-0 lead.  The Hurricanes tried to find the tying goal, but Luke Siemens managed to shut the door and keep his team ahead 1-0 through 40 minutes of play.

In the third, the Hurricanes would rally and get a huge goal to send the game into overtime.  Joel Topping's point shot beat a screened Luke Siemens and tied the game at 1-1.  It was his first-ever goal in the WHL.  That was enough to send the game into overtime and get the Hurricanes a big single point.  In the extra frame though, Josh Morrissey was sprung free on a breakaway in the final minute and his shot beat Ty Rimmer for the game winner and the Raiders would skate away with a 2-1 win.  The loss drops the Canes record to 25-24-2-7 on the season, for 59 points in 58 games.  They still sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference with a 3 point cushion on Swift Current and Medicine Hat, while the Kootenay ICE continue to make a big charge as well and are only a couple of points back. Lethbridge out shot P.A. 43-38.  The Raiders went 0/6 on the power play and the Lethbridge.

CANES CALL UP OLYNEK AND LENCHYSHYN

The Lethbridge Hurricanes have called up forward Kotlen Olynek from the Saskatchewan Midget AAA League. He leads the league with 65 points (28 G & 37 A) in 34 games.  Olynek played in PA and will also suit up for the Canes in Saskatoon. The club has also called up prospect Thomas Lenchyshyn. His season in the Manitoba AAA League is over and will stay with the Hurricanes for the remainder of the season.  Head Coach and GM Rich Preston says it'll be good for the big 6 foot 1, 190 pound defenceman to get a taste of the WHL, practice with the team and possibly get into a some game action, especially with Albin Blomqvist and Dan Johnston sidelined with injury. 

$600,000 HOLE-IN-ONE CONTEST

CIBC Wood Gundy, Nick Polychronopoulos and Tom Ackerman are co-sponsoring a $600,000 Hole-in-One contest during the upcoming Hurricanes/Broncos Alumni Golf Tournament this July at Paradise Canyon.  The five-highest spots will be up for bids at the annual Hurricanes Sports Dinner and Auction slated for Friday, February 15th at the Coast Hotel.  There are also a few tickets still available for that event next Friday night.

NEXT UP

The Hurricanes will close out this East Division road trip on Saturday (Feb. 9) when they take on the the Blades in Saskatoon. This will be the final meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Blades with Saskatoon holding the edge 2-1 in the regular season series.  It's also possible these two clubs could meet in the first round of the WHL playoffs.  Game time from Saskatoon is slated for 6:00 pm MST.  Puck drop is expected around 6:15 as the Blades have some pre-game festivities to honour the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Credit Union Centre, previous known as Saskatchewan Place.  Over 10,000 fans are expected at the game.  The pre-game show on CJOC at 5:30.

Thanks,
Pat