Broncos get past Hurricanes

By Dale Woodard on January 25, 2022.

After an 0-2 weekend, the Lethbridge Hurricanes will continue to try to get back into the playoff picture this weekend.

The Hurricanes were topped 3-1 by the Swift Current Broncos in Western Hockey League play Saturday night in Swift Current.

The loss comes after a 5-2 setback to the Red Deer Rebels Friday night at the Enmax Centre and drops the Canes to 14-16-2-1.

The Hurricanes were slated to play the Saskatoon Blades Wednesday night at the Enmax Centre. But on Monday night the WHL announced the game will be postponed due to the Blades being unable to field a complete team with nine players on the active roster currently on the WHL COVID-19 protocol list.

The Blades game against the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight in Medicine Hat has also been postponed.

On Saturday in Swift Current, the Broncos drained the first three goals for a 3-0 lead by the latter stages of the third period before new Hurricane Hayden Smith netted his first of the season – also shorthanded – with 1:50 remaining to spoil Broncos goaltender Isaac Poulter’s shutout bid.

Mathew Ward scored in the first and second periods for the Broncos before Carter Stebbings added one more 12:30 into the third.

Owen Pickering added two assists for Swift Current.

Hurricanes goaltender Jared Picklyk got his second consecutive start Saturday with starter Bryan Thomson still out with a lower body injury, stopping 24 of 27 shots.

The Hurricanes outshot the Broncos 31-27.

Both teams were 0-for-6 on the power play.

The Hurricanes sit tied for 10th place in the Eastern Conference with the Regina Pats, but remain just two points behind the 14-18-4-1 Broncos, who hold onto eight place in the East.

Fans who have tickets to Wednesday’s game against the Blades are asked to hold onto their tickets and they will be honoured for the rescheduled game.

The new game date has not yet been established.

The Hurricanes hit the road this weekend for three games in three days.

It starts Friday in Calgary against the Hitmen before the team heads north to Red Deer to face the Rebels on Saturday. Game time for both games is 7 p.m.

The road trip concludes Sunday in Edmonton against the Oil Kings at 4 p.m.

The Canes are back at the Enmax Centre Feb. 2 when they host the Broncos at 7 p.m.

Follow @@DWoodardHerald on Twitter