The Lethbridge Hurricanes erased a 3-0 deficit and came charging back to beat the Calgary Hitmen 4-3 in a shootout Wednesday night at the ENMAX Centre.
Things weren't looking very good for the Hurricanes halfway through the hockey game when the Hitmen had jumped ahead by a 3-0 score, but things changed when Zane Jones scored his 3rd goal of this season for Lethbridge to cut the visitors' lead to 3-1. That's the way the second period ended.
In the final frame the Canes came charging back to even the score. Riley Sheen notched his first of the season early in the period to cut the lead to 3-2 and then later on, the speedster, Captain Jamal Watson was sprung free on a breakaway shorthanded and scored his second of the season to even the score at 3-3. Canes goalie Stuart Skinner was given an assist on that tying goal.
The game went into overtime which solved nothing, but in the shootout Jones, Watson, and Sheen all scored for Lethbridge and that would be it as the Canes would skate away with their first win of the season. That victory also ended a long 17 game regular season losing skid that dated back to last February. The Hurricanes are now 1-3 on the season.
Stuart Skinner was brilliant in goal for Lethbridge and really the reason the Canes had a chance to come back in this hockey game. The Hitmen out shot the Hurricanes 53-38, including 19-8 in the first period alone.
Give Lethbridge come credit here. They battled back from a deficit against a team that had beat them badly, 9-2 just three days earlier. They found a way to get the job done.
The Canes next action is at home Friday (Oct. 3) when they host an improved Kamloops Blazers team. Game time is 7:00 pm MDT at the ENMAX Centre. The Hurricanes will head out to BC next week with games in Prince George Wednesday (Oct. 8), Kamloops Friday (Oct. 10), and Kelowna Saturday (Oct. 11)
Thanks,
Pat
The views expressed on this blog are those of the moderator and contributors and are not endorsed by 94.1 CJOC or the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Nice work boys!!! Way to battle when it would have been so easy to fold. Proud Canes fan today!!
ReplyDeleteFirst time in 2 years the canes actualy played hockey! That's was a great come back, Skinner played stood on his all game! There was 2 goals that he couldn't do anything about. Overall besides the first half the game, the canes played like a team! They out worked a team for a change Which was great to see. All I can really say is there most definitely change in the teams way they approach from being down. Last year soon as they were down it seems like the world was ending for them. last night was a great character win for the canes. I know its to soon say this but I can most definitely see a identity building and all starts with the 19 and 20 year olds.
ReplyDeleteIt's so interesting that the people that are on here are not comenting how well the boys did last night. WOW what a shocker if its not something they can say negative they don't say anything at all. You all should be a shamed of yourselfs, everyone talks a big game how they feel so bad for the PLAYERS but now nothing, I could almost bet that if they had lost there would have been 30 negative posts by now. You are a bunch of cowards hiding behind your computers and waiting to get a chance to post crap!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePosted by an anonymous person. The irony does not escape me.
DeleteJ. Doe
I'm not going to say anything negative about the players or their play on the ice. Last season speaks for itself. The Board of Directors lies also speak for themselves. Some of us put up good money to bring this team here and are embarrassed and angered at the direction the Board has taken the past 5 years. If you don't like that, TOO BAD!!
DeleteAnd I'll second J. Doe's remarks......Who's really hiding behind their computer????
Darren
Actually, the players played with a renewed sense of belief, they played with a lot of heart and they won this game because they believed in themselves and in each other, it was thrilling to witness, hopefully most are all of the bad apples have now been weeded out from that room. Hopefully the boys can catch a bit of fire now and continue to build confidence...look forward and not back or to the side because all that really matters is what you believe in!!! Go Canes!!!
DeleteLBJ
After a shaky first period and half, the kids settled down. With 50 saves and his first WHL win, Skinner at only 15yrs old was the star of the game to say the least. His save on Chase with 1:10 left in the 3rd was the game saver. Drake put a "sandpaper" line together of Kitt, Lingren, and Cooper. They looked good, despite the two boys from Brandon had endured a 11hr trip to Lethbridge. Getting to see Jones for the first time, this kid looks like he has it all. Size, good speed and great hands around the net.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, it looks like a good move. Kamloops will be another tough test.
RJS
(get rid of the cheerleaders)
ps.....I would have posted this earlier but some people do work.
Anon 13:37 I was in appointments all morning or I would have posted sooner. I most certainly will make sure I am up early enough after the next win to post as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteAs for the game last night, BRAVO! The young lads didn't let themselves get down when they fell three goals behind and rallied back to a very well deserved win. All four new players looked good out there despite three having a long travel day. I truly hope this is a sign of things to come. Skinner gave the team the chance to win and they came through for him. The kid sure did impress last night.
-cc
Thrilled for the lads 2nd best team to get out of their losing streak against. It will be necessary for Skinner (& Robidoux) to be this good every game if the Canes are going to keep in games. So fun to see them pull that off! 3 great shoot out goals by the home team! 2 of 3 game goals for the Canes off breakaways where the opponent's D-man FELL. Great when you can take advantage of those opportunities in a game where the time with the puck was extremely limited. Hackman's best game as a Hurricane, I thought. Not disappointed by Kitt, Pankewicz (sp?) or Lundgren.(sp?)
ReplyDeleteHopefully the result will sell some tickets. I really enjoyed being there for that one!
Bri T Seid
Did anyone notice they gave up 53 shots on goal? The team didn't win that game, Skinner did! No different than last year. Of the 12 wins they had last year how many did they actually out shoot their opponents... 3 maybe? The rest of the wins went to the goalies Boes, Sacher and even rookie Hogue when they were getting out shot by an average of 2 to 1 night after night. Same story here. Your goalie may out play the other goalie once in a while but giving up 53 shots and winning in a shootout isn't a recipe for success or optimism.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job Skinner enjoy the W.
Sell Train
I don't disagree, however the Canes did have 37 shots of their own. That is certainly an improvement there too.
ReplyDelete