The Lethbridge Hurricanes drew first blood in their first round Western Hockey League playoff series with the Calgary Hitmen Friday night. Hurricanes defenceman Calen Addison scored 5:43 into overtime to give the ‘Canes a 3-2 win and a 1-0 series lead.
The Hurricanes were able to win on a night where they didn’t feel they were at their best.
“I thought we were ok. I don’t know if we were nervous, or tentative. Give Calgary a lot of credit. I thought they played hard. I thought both goalies played well,” Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Brent Kisio said. “I’m sure they think they can be better. I know we can be better. I thought Calgary played hard and we found a way.”
The ‘Canes were sluggish to start in their first game of the playoffs, managing only seven shots in the first period, as they found themselves down 1-0 through twenty minutes. The ‘Canes would tie the game up 1-1 in the second though, when Nick Henry attacked off the rush and went upstairs on Hitmen goalie Jack McNaughton.
After the Henry tally, the two teams would exchange second period markers with Devan Klassen scoring for Calgary and Dylan Cozens answering for Lethbridge.
With the game tied 2-2 late in the second period it looked like ‘Canes forward Taylor Ross had given his team the lead, but his goal was waved off because of goaltender interference.
“I’m guessing you can guess what my conversation (with the referee) was,” Kisio said. “Hey, it’s a fast game, stuff happens. It’s easy to look back at a replay and say the guy didn’t touch him, but it’s a fast game.”
After a scoreless third period the ‘Canes would look to one of their most experienced players when the game went to overtime. A little more than five minutes into the extra session Addison walked the blue line to find space to send a wrist shot into the back of the net. After scoring, the Brandon Manitoba native skated back into his own zone and was mobbed by his teammates as the Enmax Centre erupted in celebration.
“I was just lucky enough to get that shot through,” Addison said. “There’s nothing like scoring an OT winner at home in the playoffs so it doesn’t get much better than that.”
WATCH: The Lethbridge Hurricanes open up post-season play Friday night against the Calgary Hitmen and as Matt Battochio explains, the ‘Canes have a wealth of playoff experience.
The game likely wouldn’t have made it to overtime though, if it weren’t for ‘Canes goaltender Carl Tetachuk. In his first career playoff game the rookie net-minder turned aside 31 of 33 shots.
In a game where no one would have blamed him if nerves got to him, they never did.
“I can’t say enough about that guy,” Addison said. “Me and I know the whole team is so proud of that guy and getting pushed into a starting role as such a young guy and a rookie goaltender in this league is something crazy that not a lot of goalies can do. And he’s just taken that role and ran with it. We have so much confidence in him and we thank him every night for that.”
The Hurricanes now lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.
Game 2 will take place on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the Enmax Centre.