Thursday 18 December 2014

Hurricanes Beat Pats 5-4 in Overtime

Nick Walters scored in overtime as the Lethbridge Hurricanes came back from a two goal deficit to beat the Pats 5-4 in Regina Wednesday night.

The victory gave the Hurricanes back-to-back wins for the first time since October 24th.

The game didn't start all that well for Lethbridge. Regina jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Sam Steel and Austin Wagner. Steel's goal was on the power play just 90 seconds into the period and then Wagner followed that up late with a shorthanded marker to make it 2-0 Pats. The Canes got back into the game when Tyler Wong scored at 12:31 to cut the lead to 2-1. Then with just over a minute to go in the period, Captain Jamal Watson scored to even the score at 2-2 through 20 minutes of play.

In the second, the Pats took the lead again, this time off a goal from Braden Christoffer to make it 3-2 for the home team.  Lethbridge again evened the score when Giorgio Estephan scored to things at 3-3 heading into the third period.

That score stood up all the way until the late stages of the third period, when the teams would exchange goals again. Carter Hansen scored at 17:32 for Regina, to put the home side ahead 4-3 with just a few minutes left, but the Canes wouldn't die. Just a minute later, Jaeger White scored to tie the game at 4-4, effectively sending the game into extra time.

In the overtime, Nick Walters would end the game at 1:46 for Lethbridge and the Canes skated away with a hard-fought 5-4 come-from-behind victory on the road. The victory improves the Canes record to 8-20-2-3 in 33 games this season heading into the WHL's annual Christmas break.

Lethbridge out shot Regina 30-26 in this game. It's one of the very few times the Canes have out shot their opponents this season, which is great to see for this club. Regina went 1/7 on the power play and Lethbridge 0/2.

The Canes get a much-needed rest for the next nine days. They return to action December 27th and 28th when they play rival Medicine Hat in a home-and-away set. It'll be the first time the two teams have played since opening weekend. The Tigers sit in second place in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 24 wins in 34 games, two points back of first place Brandon. The Canes sit in second-last spot in the East, a few points ahead of Saskatoon.

Thanks,
Pat

3 comments:

  1. Great win. The Boys look rejuvenated. In past games a comeback was highly unlikely and was great too watch. Keep it up.

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  2. That's a pleasant way to go into the Christmas break. Congrats to all the players and coaches. Hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Christmas.

    Redline

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  3. It's amazing what a little respect for the players will do! This type of victory would not be possible under Drake and Robson. Players were obviously tired of that mantra as was I!! Let's hope the players continue to work hard for their new coach and give them (and us fans) something to look forward to next year. (I was impressed Anholt had Jaeger White on the ice in the late stages of the game. He showed his new coach it wasn't a mistake.)

    LaRon

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