Photo by Brandi Pollock
Lethbridge, AB (CKLQ) – Special teams was key in game one of the WHL’s Eastern Conference semi-final as the Lethbridge Hurricanes knocked off the Brandon Wheat Kings 5-1 on Friday night.
The Hurricanes scored four powerplay goals and added a short-handed marker to take a 1-0 series lead over the Wheat Kings.
"We didn’t do a good job on the penalty kill at all," said Head Coach David Anning. "I thought our attention to detail was poor. We lost track of guys and I didn’t think we got into shooting lanes either."
It was the 2nd time this season the Hurricanes had scored four powerplay goals in a game vs the Wheat Kings. Back on February 23rd, the Hurricanes went a perfect 4 for 4 on the man advantage in a 7-2 win over Brandon. That was the ‘Canes lone win vs the Wheat Kings this year.
Brandon’s Calen Addison (3A) and New York Ranger prospect Brad Morrison (3A), lead the way for the Hurricanes, who got two goal nights from Jordy Bellerive and Taylor Ross.
Marcus Sekundiak scored the lone Wheat King goal, his 3rd of the post-season.
"We have to learn from our mistakes," added Anning. "Tonight our mistakes were our discipline and our penalty kill. At even strength I thought we did a lot of things well. We’re going to have to tighten up and clean it up, we want to have a better start to the game and play at even strength as much as possible."
The Wheat Kings and Hurricanes will meet again Saturday night at the Enmax Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m Manitoba Time. The Q Country pre-game show begins at 7:30.
CROWE’S NOTES:
-The Wheat Kings scratched Logan Thompson (Lower Body), Jonny Hooker (Healthy), Ty Ettinger (Healthy) & Baron Thompson (Healthy).
-The Hurricanes had thought the scored at 10:54 of the third period when Dylan Cozens rang one off the crossbar. The Hurricanes celebrated, but after video review it was determined the puck did not cross the line.
-The first fight of the series took place in the third period. Schael Higson and Matthew Stanley dropped the mitts in front of the Hurricanes bench. It’s just the 2nd fight of the post-season for the Wheat Kings.
-Attendance at the Enmax Centre was 4,049.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
LETH – Taylor Ross (6) (Joseph) 6:23 SHG
LETH – Jordy Bellerive (5) (Morrison, Addison) 9:33 PPG
Shots: 11-10 Brandon
2nd PERIOD
BWK – Marcus Sekundiak (3) (McCartney, Schneider) 6:31
LETH – Jaden Joseph (1) (Barlage, Olsen) 13:15 PPG
Shots: 11-11
3rd PERIOD
LETH – Taylor Ross (7) (Morrison, Addison) 6:20 PPG
LETH – Jordy Bellerive (6) (Morrison, Addison) 14:00 PPG
Final Shots: 35-26