The victory was the the second in a row for the Canes following a season-high five game losing skid. It improves their overall record to 42-20-1-1 on the season for 86 points and keeps Lethbridge in a first place tie with Brandon in the Eastern Conference standings. Both teams have eight games to go in the regular season.
The Hurricanes travelled to Moose Jaw the day of this game, but the six hour bus ride didn't seem to have much of an impact on the visitors. The Warriors did open the scoring in the game. Brett Howden scored a power play goal in the first period to give Moose Jaw what would turn out to be their only goal of the game. It was 1-0 Warriors about 20 minutes of play.
In the second, the Hurricanes took over. Just 45 seconds in to the period, Andrew Nielsen scored his 17th of season to even the score at 1-1. Then the Cory Millette show took over. Millette gave Lethbridge a 2-1 lead with his first of three in the game. He followed that up with his second of the night on the power play about three minutes later and just like that it was 3-1 Lethbridge. Before the end of the period, the Canes added another one, this time courtesy of Brayden Burke, his 24th of the season. The Hurricanes took a comfortable 4-1 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes of play.
In the third, the scored stayed 4-1 Hurricanes until the final couple of minutes. That's when Cory Millette scored his hatrick goal into an empty net to give Lethbridge what turned out to be a well-deserved 5-1 victory. Those three goals give Millette 30 on the season. Millette joins Captain Tyler Wong with 30 or more goals this season.
Lethbridge out shot Moose Jaw 45-36 in is game. The Canes went 1/5 on the power play and Moose finished the game 1/4.
The Hurricanes get the day off Thursday before their next game Friday (Mar. 4) in Saskatoon. They'll close out this three game Saskatchewan swing Saturday (Mar. 5) in Prince Albert.
Thanks,
Pat
Awesome job, Canes. If you look at the standings you might think, easy. 1 beats 6, no problem. Not true. Your goalie played really well, and you beat a team that had only two more losses this year than yourselves. Had to win to keep pace with BWK for first... and they did.
ReplyDeleteAnd if they want to continue to keep in the race for first in the East, they are going to need a better than average performance against a vengeful Blades team after their most recent 12-2 loss.
We've seen some absolutely fantastic hockey this year, so I am not complaining, but, does it seem kind of disrespectful to anyone else when after home games, win or lose (mostly win this year), our home team just skates through centre without even stopping to acknowledge the crowd support? They're too busy to do a circle and acknowledge their fans support? A LOT of pro & amateur team's players skate around at centre ice and lift their sticks &/or clap for the fans, but this team just skates right through centre, often with no hesitation. It wouldn't cost them anything, and I believe that respect goes a long way to develop even more fan loyalty and support.