Sunday 1 November 2015

Canes Lose 5-3 in Kelowna

For the first time this WHL season, the Lethbridge Hurricanes have lost back-to-back games.

Cory Millette scored twice for Lethbridge, but it wasn't enough as the Canes dropped a 5-3 decision Halloween night in Kelowna. Prospera Place has not been kind to visiting teams, especially the Hurricanes over the last number of seasons.

The Canes found themselves down 3-0 in this one before they managed to get on the score board. The Rockets opened the scoring midway through the first period when Nick Merkley beat Jayden Sittler to make it 1-0 Rockets. 34 seconds later Kelowna struck again. Cole Linaker scored to make it 2-0 Rockets and that held up through the opening 20 minutes.

In the second, a power play goal from Rodney Southam just 37 seconds into the period put the Rockets up 3-0. Despite being down by a three spot, the Hurricanes found a way to battle back and eventually tie the hockey game. Cory Millette scored his first of two in the game at 5:58 of the period, his 3rd of the season to cut the lead to 3-1 after two periods of play.

In the third, the Canes charged back to even the score. Cory Millette scored his second of the game and 4th of the season at 3:17. That cut the Kelowna lead to 3-2 and then half way through the period, Lethbridge tied the game on a power play goal from Andrew Nielsen, his 6th of the year and the game was all squared away at 3-3. The Rockets though regained their one goal lead two minutes later when Dillon Dube scored to make it 4-3. That actually turned out to be the game winner. The Hurricanes pulled the goalie late in the period to try and tie things again, but Tyson Ballie sealed it with an empty netter and the Kelowna Rockets ended up holding on for a 5-3 win.

The loss drops the Canes overall record to a very respectable 10-4 on the season. The Hurricanes did out shoot the Rockets 27-25 on the night. The Canes went 1/5 on the power play and Kelowna 1/3. So for the first time this season, the Hurricanes are facing a little adversity as we approach the quarterway point in the schedule. The question is how does this team now shake off a couple of back-to-back losses and rebound in their next game? It's actually a good little test for a team that has had a lot go right for them in the first 15 games of the season.

The Hurricanes will close out what has been a long six game road trip on Monday (Nov. 2) when they play the Cougars in Prince George. They return home Friday (Nov. 6) to host the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Thanks,
Pat

2 comments:

  1. 10 & 5? Are you predicting a loss in PG, then?

    10-4 over and out.

    New streak begins tonight. Go get your power back, lads!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Typo on my part. All fixed.

    ReplyDelete