Canes Beat Tigers 4-2 on Opening Night

The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked a new WHL with a bang, beat the rival Medicine Hat Tigers 4-2 Friday night in front of a packed house at the ENMAX Centre.

The Hurricanes raised their 2015-16 Central Division Championship banner prior to puck drop on opening night. Both teams were missing a number of significant players due to NHL camps going on right now. Canes goalie Stuart Skinner played a big role for Lethbridge in this game as the Tigers held a healthy 43-20 edge in shots on goal.

The Hurricanes opened the scoring with rookie Calen Addision scored his first-ever WHL on a power play to make it 1-0 Lethbridge. The Canes power play struck again before the end of the period. Ryley Lindgren scored his first of the year and it was 2-0 Lethbridge after one period.

In the second, Medicine Hat got on the board with a power play goal of their own. Matt Bradley beat Stuart Skinner to cut the lead to 2-1, but before the period the Hurricanes would regain their two goal lead. Brady Reagen tipped into a point shot to make it 3-1 Lethbridge through 40 minutes of play.

In the third, the Hurricanes added another one. Jordy Bellerive scored his first of the year at the 5:52 mark to give Lethbridge a 4-2 lead. The Tigers managed to get one more before it was all said and done. Ryan Jevne scored a power play goal to again cut the Hurricanes lead in half, but that's as close as they would get. The Hurricanes skated away with a 4-2 victory in front 5009 fans at the ENMAX Centre.

The Hurricanes and Tigers will play again Saturday, this time in Medicine Hat for the Tigers opener.

Thanks,
Pat