Berge’s first WHL hat trick leads Hurricanes past Hitmen

By Lethbridge Herald on January 30, 2026.

Nathan Reiter
Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes closed out a four game homestand in style on Friday night, downing the Calgary Hitmen 4-1 at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

The win helps Lethbridge extend their winning streak to three games. The Hurricanes begin a three game road trip through Medicine Hat, Prince Albert and Saskatoon starting tomorrow night at Co-op Place against the Tigers.

Hurricane head coach Matt Anholt says Lethbridge was glad to finish out the homestand with a victory.

“I think even regardless of how the years went, our guys still love playing in this barn for our fans. Even tonight, the crowd was maybe not close to a sellout, but it was rocking in here. There was lots of good energy. It doesn’t take many fans in here to make this place pop. Our guys love playing here in front of our fans. I’m really happy for our group to be able to string together four really good performances, even dating back to the Brandon game. Going on the road is going to be a tall task, that team’s been waiting for us now for a few days. We need to try to get a win against that team this year.”

It appeared Lethbridge had opened the scoring in the first period as Easton Daneault got the last touch on a scramble in the Calgary crease. The goal was originally called a good goal, but was later overturned to keep the scoreless tie intact.

Fans were treated to a classic goaltending duel at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena as Hurricane 16-year-old Leif Oaten and Hitmen 17-year-old Aiden Hesse were both locked in on the night.

It took until late in the second period for the Hurricanes to break the seal on the scoreboard. Owen Berge struck on a 5-on-3 power play to put Lethbridge ahead at the 19:15 mark of the second period. The 19-year-old would redirect a Kayden Longley pass through Hesse from the mouth of the crease for his 13th goal of the season. Easton Daneault received the secondary helper on the play.

Just six seconds into the third period, Lethbridge would double the lead as Berge would strike for his second goal of the contest. Off a faceoff win, Berge would come down the right wing and beat Hesse to the blocker side.

Anholt says special teams were crucial in the win for Lethbridge.

“We were really liking our power play early even though we hadn’t scored. Their goalie was playing pretty well and then really a huge goal to get that one when we did. I think a massive moment of the game ends up being the game winning goal. The start of the third period where we score on that face-off play. A really good job by our guys and our power play coach Ryan Aasman stepping up and having a good plan to execute on.”

A short handed marker for Kai Anderson would extend the Hurricane lead to three at the 2:16 mark. A strong play in the corner by Kade Duell would set up Anderson all alone in front and the 17-year-old would outwait Hesse and tuck in his 10th goal of the campaign.

Calgary would get on the board at the 12:44 mark as Caine Wilke would strike on the power play for his 12th goal of the season. A great passing play by the Hitmen gave the 17-year-old a clean shot from the right circle and he made no mistake. Andrei Molgachev and Julien Maze picked up the helpers.

Berge would finish the hat trick with an empty netter at the 18:13 mark. It was Berge’s first career WHL hat trick. In an interview with the Herald post game, Berge says it was a great feeling when that puck crossed the goal line.

“It was a big jolt of excitement. I haven’t really had a hat trick since minor hockey, so I’m really grateful that Longley saw me there and put an area for me to put in the net.”

Berge was acquired by Lethbridge in a deal with Moose Jaw for an eighth round pick earlier this season. Anholt says he was surpassed all expectations since putting on a Hurricane sweater.

“He’s a WHL player for a reason. He’s been on a league championship team. He knows how to play, he knows how to kill, he knows how to shoot the puck and make plays under pressure. He kind of reminds me of all of those old trades we used to make where we got Jake Elmer and Taylor Ross and some of those guys for late picks as well. They end up being kind of hidden gems. I couldn’t speak higher of Berge as a kid.”

Lethbridge hits the road tonight for a matchup with the Medicine Hat Tigers at Co-op Place. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.