Hurricanes Beat Saskatoon Blades 5-3

The Lethbridge Hurricaes are currently playing their best hockey in well over two seasons. Giorgio Estephan scored twice as the Canes beat Saskatoon 5-3 Saturday night at the ENMAX Centre.

The Canes got off to a 2-0 lead in this. Kord Pankewicz got things rolling when he scored a power play goal, his 6th of the season at he 7:18 mark to make it 1-0 Lethbridge. They struck again a few minutes later when Devan Fafard scored his 4th goal of the year to give the home team a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes of play.

In the second, the Blades started chipping their way back into the game. Mason McCarty scored early, beating Stuart Skinner to cut the Canes lead to 2-1. Lethbridge did get that one back on yet another power play goal, this one from the red hot Giorgio Estephan. He scored his 15th of the year to make it a 3-1 Hurricanes lead. Again the Blades made it a one goal game. Late in the period, McCarty scored his second of the night to cut the Canes lead to 3-2 after two periods.

In the second, Saskatoon came back to tie the score. One minute into the period, Nick Zajac scored and just like that the game was tied at 3-3. The Hurricanes though would never fall behind in this game. Giorgio Estephan scored the eventual game winner with six minutes to go, his second of the game and 16th of the season to the Hurricanes ahead 4-3. Then an empty net goal from Carter Folk, his 10th of the year sealed the deal and the Canes would win it 5-3.

The Hurricanes have now won 6 of their last 7 games and improve their overall record to 18-31-3-3 on the season. Saskatoon out shot the Hurricanes 35-29. The Canes went 2/5 on the power play and Saskatoon was 1/3.

The Hurricanes play at home Tuesday (Feb. 17) against the Kootenay ICE. Then hit the road for a U.S. trip next weekend with games in Seattle, Portland, and Everett.

I'm away for the next few days so the blog will be silent until February 25th. It's nice to see the Canes playing some good hockey and giving heir fans something to cheer about! I was at the game Saturday against Saskatoon and it was certainly sun to watch.

Cheers,
Pat