The Hurricanes opted for some revenge on Wednesday night with a 4-2 victory over the Kootenay Ice in Lethbridge, as they have been relegated to play the role of spoiler following their elimination from the playoffs in Cranbrook on Tuesday.
The Ice were able to climb out from a two-goal deficit, however, the ‘Canes scored a pair of goals within three minutes in the final frame to jump ahead for the lead and the win.
Sam Reinhart and Luke Philp provided the scoring for the Ice, while Tyler Wong, Jamal Watson, Graham Hood and Lenny Hackman got the goals for Lethbridge.
Mackenzie Skapski had the night off as Wyatt Hoflin got his first start since the end of January in net for Kootenay, making 34 saves, while Christopher Tai got the call for the Hurricanes, making 27 stops for the win.
“He started good early on, but the consistency wasn’t there, however, as a group, we didn’t help him out either,” said Ice assistant coach Chad Kletzel.
Hudson Elynuik, a Midget AAA prospect who is spending the week with his WHL club, appeared in his second consecutive game. Brock Montgomery was a healthy scratch, while Zach McPhee (upper body) and Levi Cable (lower body) are still out with injuries.
Tanner Muth left the game after the first period, and will get a full assessment on Thursday.
Both teams held each other scoreless after the first period, but the ‘Canes pulled ahead with two goals in the middle frame.
Tyler Wong—like the night before at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook—opened the scoring with a backhand rebound that sailed over Hoflin’s glove. With two minutes remaining in the period, Jamal Watson fired a shot off a faceoff in the Kootenay zone that snuck by the Kootenay netminder.
The Ice managed to light the goal lamp with 12 seconds left on the clock when Philp finished on a passing play between Jaedon Descheneau and Jagger Dirk with the man-advantage to chip away at the deficit.
Reinhart was able to get a deflection off a shot from Dirk on another powerplay in the third period to even up the scoring at 2-2.
Less than two minutes after Reinhart’s goal, the ‘Canes pulled ahead when Hood beat Hoflin on a backdoor play during a Lethbridge poweprlay.
Hackman notched his first career WHL goal near the halfway mark to round out the scoring for the game.