Hurricanes Drop 5-2 Decision in Edmonton

EDMONTON - Three goals in a span of 3:45 in the third period lifted the Edmonton Oil Kings to 5-2 win over the Hurricanes Saturday night at Rexall Place.

The Hurricanes got off to another rather decent start, but Edmonton would open the scoring. Late in the period, Tyler Maxwell was left alone untouched in front of the Hurricanes goal. He beat Damien Ketlo low along the ice to give the Oil Kings a 1-0 lead. That would hold up as the only offence in the period. Edmonton would hold the edge in shots, 14-11 through 20 minutes of play.

In the second, the Hurricanes would press for the equalizer and they got it. Nick Buonassisi took a pass from the corner beating Tristan Jarry in the Edmonton goal for his 6th of the season. Buonassisi has 12 points in 15 games since joining the Hurricanes in a trade from Prince George. That goal tied the game up at 1-1 and that would be it for scoring through 40 minutes. Edmonton held a slilght edge in shots 25-21.

In the third, the Edmonton Oil Kings would break that 1-1 tie with three quick goals in a span of 3:45. Dylan Wruck, Michael St. Croix, and Tyler Maxwell all scored in very short order to blow the game open in favour of Edmonton. Lethbridge though got one of those back. Cam Braes blasted home his 10th of the season to cut the lead to 4-2. The Hurricanes would pull the goalie to try and get back in the game, but Michael St. Croix would get his second of the night into an empty goal to seal the game for Edmonton. Final score Edmonton 5 and Lethbridge 2. The Oil Kings out shot Lethbridge 38-27 on the night. The Hurricanes finished the game 0/2 and the Oil Kings 0/4. The loss drops their record to 6-20-0-1 on the season. The Canes didn't play poorly. It was just the early part of the third period that was the difference in this game.

Macoy Erkamps sat Saturday's game out as a precaution. He was pasted from behind Friday night in Red Deer by Turner Elson. His head hit the glass pretty hard. Elson was assessed only a two minute minor on the play, but the WHL sees it differently. Elson is suspended. The length is yet to be determined. The Hurricanes coaching staff was not impressed with the call on the play. Head Coach and G.M. Rich Preston said on the CJOC pre-game show Satursday night the hit on Erkamps was a real dangerous play and Erkamps never saw the hit coming. Preston says the League agreed with him that it should've been a 5 minute major. Daniel Johnston was also a scratch again for Lethbridge. He's been out the last three games with injury, but could be back in the next week.

NEXT UP

The Hurricanes are back at home Tuesday (Nov. 29) when they host the Red Deer Rebels. Game time from the ENMAX Centre is 7:00 pm (MST). The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30. The Canes will head to Medicine Hat Wednesday (Nov. 30).

Thanks,
Pat