Hurricanes Beat Tigers 3-1 in Medicine Hat

Two quick goals in the second period, coupled with some very strong goaltending pushed the Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 3-1 victory in Medicine Hat last night.

The Tigers came out of the gate in this one like a house on fire. Dylan Tait got the start in goal for Lethbridge and was nothing short of great in the first period stopping every shot he faced, many of them good scoring chances for Medicine Hat. Despite being totally dominated in the opening 20 minutes, the Hurricanes managed to get the first goal late in the period when the guy with the hot stick scored for the visitors. Austin Fyten fired a shot shortside, beating Tyler Bunz in goal for Medicine Hat. That gave the Canes' a 1-0 lead after the first peroid. As I said earlier, Hurricanes goalie Dylan Tait was bombarded with shots in the opening period as the Tigers outshot Lethbridge 18-5.

In the second, the Hurricanes would cool off the Medicine Hat attack with two quick goals, both breakaways and just 13 seconds apart. First Jacob Berglund stole the puck, went in all alone and roofed a shot over Bunz and in to give Lethbridge a 2-0 lead. Then seconds later, literally off the face-off at centre ice, Mitch Maxwell took a pass from his younger brother Russ, went in untouched and scored shortside to give the Hurricanes a huge 3-0 lead. That's the way the period would end. The shots favoured Lethbridge in the second period as the Canes' outshot Medicine Hat 10-6. Dylan Tait was a lot less busy in the second, but he had a good supporting cast in front of him.

In the third, just after the half way mark in the period , Wacey Hamilton scored a short-handed goal to put the Tigers on the board. Medicine Hat would put on the full court press the rest of the period, but that would be as close as they would get. The Hurricanes steal a 3-1 victory and start this new WHL season 2 and 0. The Hurricanes were out shot 38-19. Dylan Tait was awsome in goal for the Canes', especially in the opening period. The power chances were 0/3 for Medicine Hat. Lethbridge went 0/4.

Well what can I say. Kind of like Friday night in Calgary actually. Another slow start, but great goaltending and a few opportune goals turned the tide for Lethbridge. The Hurricanes again got better as the game went on. They played with more confidence and it showed. It's all pretty evidet the Canes' have a solid one-two goaltending tandem with Brandon Anderson and Dylan Tait.

Hurricanes This Week

Our second show of the season will go Monday night at 7 o'clock (MDT). Hurricanes Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston will be on the show for the entire hour. I'll have more details on that in my Monday morning report.

Next Up

The Hurricanes will get a few days off before hitting to the road for their first big trip of the season. The Canes' will take off early Wednesday to the U.S. where they will play Seattle Friday, Everett Saturday, and Portland Sunday. All the action of course can be heard on 94.1, CJOC. After that, the Hurricanes will be home for a few weeks. The home opener is set for Friday, October 8th when Lethbridge will host Prince George.

Thanks,
Pat

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