The Lethbridge Hurricanes came out flying in Game 1 of their second round playoff series, picking up a 5-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings at the Enmax Centre on Friday night.
The ‘Canes scored twice in the first, once in the second and two more times in the third as they controlled the game from start to finish.
“I thought we got better and better as the game went on,” Hurricanes Head Coach Brent Kisio said. “I thought we were ok in the first and second and then in the third we were really strong.”
The Hurricanes struck first just six minutes into the game when Taylor Ross scored a short-handed goal to give the home-side a 1-0 lead. Before the period was out, the ‘Canes would tack on another when Jordy Bellerive pounced on his own rebound to make it 2-0 ‘Canes.
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Special teams were the difference in game one of the second round series. Not only did the ‘Canes get a shorthanded goal, their power play was lethal as well, going 4/6 on the night.
Lethbridge led 2-1 in the second period when they went to another man advantage. Hurricanes forward Logan Barlage was stopped by Wheat Kings goaltender Dylan Myskiw, but Jadon Joseph buried the loose puck to give the ‘Canes a 3-1 lead.
The Joseph tally was one of four straight power play goals from the Hurricanes, as they scored two more on the man advantage in the third period to solidify the win.
“I thought the guys executed,” Kisio said. “We had a game plan coming in, but once you get on the ice you have to execute and find the open guy. We were able to find them.”
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In addition to Joseph’s goal, Bellerive and Ross each scored twice for the home side. In net, Hurricanes Goaltender Logan Flodell was his usual self, turning in another strong performance, stopping 25 of 26 shots.
As for the Wheat Kings, they lumbered out of the gate in game one, giving up five goals and losing the shot battle 35-26.
“When you give up a short-handed goal and four power play markers it’s going to be hard to win,” Wheat Kings Head Coach David Anning said. “We have to clean up our penalty kill, we have to be far more discipline. Our sticks need to be better and we need to do a better job checking and we need to respond the right way tomorrow.”
The win moved the Hurricanes to a perfect 4-0 on home ice in the 2018 WHL Playoffs.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series goes Saturday night at 7:00 P.M. at the Enmax Centre.