The Lethbridge Hurricanes offence continues to roll.
The Canes scored seven times Wednesday night as they rolled over the Blades 7-4 in Saskatoon. Lethbridge has now scored 139 goals on the season, the most in the Western Hockey League.
The Blades opened the scoring early in this game. Cameron Hebig beat Jayden Sittlerjust over a minute into the game to make it 1-0 Saskatoon. That was short lived as the Hurricanes tied the game two minutes later when Egor Babenko scored his 18th of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Former Cane Bryton Sayers gave Saskatoon the lead back with a power play goal at 12:05 to make it 2-1 Saskatoon, but not too long after that the red hot Justin Gutierrez scored his 17th goal of the year to get things to 2-2. Before the end of the period the Canes took their first lead of the night thanks to a goal from Cory Millette, his 15th of the season making it 3-2 Lethbridge after 20 minutes.
In the second, Carter Folk put the Hurricanes ahead by a pair with his 5th of the season and then Brayden Burke made it a 5-2 game in favour of Lethbridge when he scored his 9th. That would give the Hurricanes a three goal lead through the first two periods of play.
In the third, the Blades managed to get a couple of those goals back from Josh Patterson and Connor Gay, however, the Hurricanes added two more of their own with goals from Ryley Lindgren on the power play, his 14th and an empty-netter by Andrew Nielsen, his 8th of the year and the Canes would cruise to a 7-4 win.
The win improves the Canes to 22-11 on the season. They out shot Saskatoon 34-25. The Canes 1/2 on the power play and Saskatoon was 2/5.
It has been a complete 180 for the Hurricanes. From a team at the bottom last year and one of the worst offences in the WHL, to being tied for top spot in the Eastern Conference, the highest scoring offence in the WHL and the League's number one power play pretty much from the start of the season.
It's been impressive to say the least.
The Hurricanes close out this pre-Christmas road trip with games in Edmonton Friday (Dec. 18) and in Red Deer Saturday (Dec. 19).
Thanks,
Pat
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Overall a successful road trip thus far. They have to be sure to not underestimate the Oil Kings (something I suspect led to the team having to play some serious catch up in Regina) and they need to play Red Deer like they are finishing up a 6 game home stand instead of a long road trip. Both games are quite winnable if the lads just stay focused.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to them this weekend.
-cc
Wow! I think that the best thing that happened to the Canes in this Shaw broadcast was the Blades scoring a minute in. Hello!
ReplyDeleteUntil the 7th goal, this game was never a lock for the Canes. It seemed like they dominated the majority of play, but at 5-3 if the Blades scored instead of Lindgren,... ?
If the Canes can beat the underperforming Oil Kings, they will be facing Handsome-Sutter for solo first place in the Eastern Conference.
Who would have guessed the team would improve this much this season?! And we owe it all to Robson and the Drake (for leaving).
I have always loved this team, but I LOVE this team! They are so fun to watch!
Sham-WOW!