Hurricanes Lose 3-2 in Prince Albert

A night after scoring ten goals in Saskatoon Friday, the Lethbridge Hurricanes had a much bigger challenge on their hands in Prince Albert the following day.

The Canes fell behind 2-0 in the period and couldn't recover, losing 3-2 to the Raiders on the road Saturday night. The loss drops the Canes overall record to 43-21-1-1 on the season and with a Brandon win Saturday, it drops the Hurricanes two points back of the Wheat Kings for first place in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have six games remaining in the regular season.

As mentioned, PA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in this game. Brendan Guhle scored less than four minutes into the first period, beating Jayden Sittler to make it 1-0 Raiders. Less than a minute later, the Raiders struck again. Parker Kelly scored quickly after and just like that it was 2-0 Prince Albert. The Hurricanes did get one of those goals back before the end of the period. A power play goal from Cory Millette, his 31st of the season midway through the period cut the PA lead to 2-1 after one.

In the second, the Raiders regained their two goal lead. Reid Gardiner scored with the man advantage to put the Raiders up 3-1. That would, in the end, turn out to be the game winner. It was also the only goal in the second period.

In the third, the Hurricanes had some serious work to do. The power play clicked again when Ryley Lindgren scored his 26th of the season with just over 11 minutes left in the period. That cut the PA lead to 3-2 with still plenty of time to go for the Hurricanes to try and even the score. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, it wouldn't happen on this night. The Raiders held on for 3-2 victory, ending the Canes three game winning streak in the process.

Lethbridge out shot Prince Albert 33-31 in this game. The Canes went 2/3 on the power play and the Raiders finished the game 1/3.

Eventhough the Hurricanes are two points back of the Wheat Kings for top spot in the Eastern Conference, they also have to worry about holding on to their lead in the Central Division. They have a five point lead on Red Deer in the Division, with the Canes and Rebels playing twice in back-to-back games next weekend.

The Hurricanes next action though is Tuesday (Mar. 8) when they travel to Cranbrook to take on the Kootenay ICE.

Thanks,
Pat