Photo by Brandi Crowe
Lethbridge, AB (CKLQ) – The Lethbridge Hurricanes got 27 saves from Carl Tetachuk and a two-goal performance from Jake Leschyshyn on route to a 4-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday night.
It was a bit of a slow start for Brandon in the first period, but Jiri Patera picked up where he left off in Kootenay making 10 saves in the opening frame, including a stretch where Brandon was outshot 8-1.
A solid penalty kill late in the period have Brandon some momentum and the Wheat Kings forced ‘Canes netminder Carl Tetachuk to make a number of big saves to keep the game scoreless after one.
An early powerplay in the 2nd period did not go as planned and the Hurricanes capitalized. Early in the powerplay Luka Burzan had a puck deflect off his face. Unfortunately, as he slowly limped to the bench, Brandon found themselves in a four on four situations for well over 15 seconds before they could get a replacement onto the ice.
Moments later, Zach Wytinck fell down as he retreated to get a puck below the Brandon goal line. Dylan Cozens quickly sent the puck in front and Jake Elmer made no mistake burying his 37th of the year to open the scoring.
Just over two minutes later, the Hurricanes added another. This time it was Jake Leschyshyn who finished off a nifty passing play from Nick Henry and Zach Stringer to give the ‘Canes a 2-0 lead.
Late in the period, a questionable tripping call on Ridly Greig sent the Hurricanes to the powerplay. Just nine seconds into the man advantage Leschyshyn would pop in the insurance marker to put the home team comfortably in front 3-0 at the 2nd intermission.
In the third, Zach Stringer found the back of the net for his first career WHL goal. That tally capped off a two-point night for the 15-year-old rookie and put the Hurricanes up 4-0.
Luka Burzan would add a goal while skating 4on4 but that was a close as the Wheat Kings would get to mounting a comeback. The win secures the Hurricanes a playoff spot and moves them back into a tie for top spot in the Central Division with the Edmonton Oil Kings. (82 points).
Meanwhile, in Medicine Hat, the Tigers earned a single point in an OT loss to the Calgary Hitmen. That moves them to 70 points, two points up on both Brandon and Red Deer for the #1 wild-card spot.
Brandon got a boost to the lineup on Wednesday night as 20-year-old forward Linden McCorrister made his return to the team. He had missed the previous five games with an upper-body injury. He finished the night -1 with one shot on goal.
The Wheat Kings will get a day of rest on Thursday before taking on the Red Deer Rebels on Friday night. (8:00 MB time on QCountry Radio)
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
No Scoring
Shots: 10-8 Lethbridge
2nd PERIOD
LETH – Jake Elmer (37) (Cozens, Palivko) 5:36 SHG
LETH – Jake Leschyshyn (36) (Henry, Stringer) 7:35
LETH – Jake Leschyshyn (37) (Henry, Addison) 19:44 PPG
Shots: 18-12 Lethbridge
3rd PERIOD
LETH – Zach Stringer (1) (Barlage, Elmer) 10:16
BWK – Luka Burzan (38) (Mattheos, Salame) 11:09 4on4
Final Shots: 38-28 Lethbridge
