Hurricanes use third period goals to tame Broncos in home opener

By Lethbridge Herald on September 22, 2023.

Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Lethbridge HurricanesÕ Carsen Adair attempts to slow up Luke Mistelbacher of the Swift Current Broncos during Western Hockey League action at the Enmax Centre on Friday night.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes opened up the 2023-2024 regular season with a 3-1 win over the Swift Current Broncos at the Enmax Centre on Friday night.

The Hurricanes used three third period goals to earn the win 

The win also marked the first for new head coach Bill Peters.

“Well you know what it feels good,” said Peters.

“It’s Obviously better than the alternative. I’m happy for the guys. The guys worked hard and paid a price in the third there, and obviously Harry (Harrison Meneghin) was big for us all night long and  penalty kill stepped up when they needed to with the game on the line.”

While it was a feeling out process for much the opening period, it was the Broncos that struck first when Maddix  McCagherty’s shovel-like shot squeezed past Harrison Meneghin at the 18:53 mark to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Rylan Gould and Josh Fluker drew the assists on McCagherty’s marker.

“Well you know what we were a little disconnected early in the game,” said Peters.

“We were spread out. I didn’t think we supported our defence well enough, and   then when we got better in that regard Then the game became a little easier.”

Both Meneghin and the Broncos’ Joey Rocha didn’t budge an inch in the middle period as both netminders made timely saves to keep the game 1-0 score while facing 11 shots a piece.

The Canes Logan McCutcheon picked up a loose puck at the side wall after it  hit the post and deposited it into an empty net while Rocha was looking the other way just  3:07 into the third period to tie the game at one.

Rookies Kale Tipler and Elias Knoester notched the assists on the goal.

Rookie Landen Ward found the back  of the net 12 seconds later to give Lethbridge a 2-1 lead.

Tipler  and McCutcheon got the assists on that goal as well.

Swift Current had nine minutes in power play time near the half way point of the third period when Ward was handed a game misconduct and Miguel Marques was given a double minor for high sticking.

Meneghin made a handful of saves to keep the Canes lead on Swift Current’s extended powerplay.

“Well it was huge,” said Peters.

Meneghin said the penalty kill was really good today.

“It was nice killing those penalties because it obviously got us a win,” said Meneghin.

“But our PK was not the greatest in preseason. So now that we  kind of figured that out,it’s, huge that we have that for regular season.”

Meneghin saved 40-of 41 shots.

Logan Wormald sealed the win with a goal at 16:27 of the third period.

Both teams will battle again tonight in Swift Current.