Hurricanes can’t find equalizer in loss to Prince Albert

By Lethbridge Herald on November 5, 2025.

Nathan Reiter
Lethbridge Herald

Try as they might, the equalizer proved to be elusive for the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a 2-1 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Wednesday.

Hurricane assistant captain Shane Smith says Lethbridge played well despite falling short of recording a point in the contest.

“It’s a great team over there. Obviously, they haven’t lost in regulation for a reason. I thought we brought one of our best games tonight, so a lot of positives to take away.”

In a postgame interview with the Herald, Hurricane head coach Matt Anholt says he was pleased with the showing from Lethbridge.

“I think we’re real happy with the efforts. The team we’re playing is a real good group. They’re one of the favourites in our league for a reason. We’ve got a lot of high-end guys. I think they showed it tonight when they were able to whip it around at times on us. But we were right there with them. I thought our goalie was outstanding, but I thought we pushed. It was great to see the response in the third, especially. I think there were definitely times in that game that we looked like we were right there with them.”

Prince Albert would open the scoring at the 7:27 mark of the first period as Brayden Dube would bury his sixth goal of the campaign following a cross crease pass from Hubert Clarke. Owen Corkish was credited with the secondary assist on the play.

The Raiders would lead the shot clock 14-5 after the opening period of play.

Jackson Kostiuk’s second goal of the season would double the Raider lead at the 6:01 mark of the second period., The 19-year-old would beat Cleaver clean with a wrist shot. Connor Howe and Alisher Sarkenov picked up the helpers.

Prince Albert nearly had a three goal late in the second period, but Koen Cleaver would make a tremendous paddle save on Raider forward Riley Boychuk to keep the deficit within two. Cleaver would be named first star in the contest

“I think we’ve been really fortunate with good goaltending for the most part of this year. Koen had a little moment a couple weeks ago where he wasn’t too happy with how he was playing but it had not a lot to do with him. It was more about us and just really happy with how he’s been playing over the last few games. Tonight he was outstanding, gave us a chance to be at least involved in the game and that one save was outrageous.”
Shane Smith would give Lethbridge life at the 13:25 mark of the middle frame as the 20-year-old would deposit a rebound home for his 11th goal of the campaign. Owen Berge and Nathan Maloney received the helpers on the play.

The Hurricanes would pressure the Raiders at times in the third period, but could not solve Michal Orsulak who made 25 saves to earn his fifth win on the season.

Lethbridge returns to action on Friday night when they welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. Puck drops at 7 p.m.