Hurricanes looking to extend winning streak against Calgary

By Lethbridge Herald on January 30, 2026.

Nathan Reiter

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes (14-33-0-1) are officially on a winning streak.

The Hurricanes won their second consecutive contest on Wednesday night, a 5-2 win over the Saskatoon Blades at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. 

Lethbridge last won back-to-back games during their road trip through the B.C. Division which started with wins against the Penticton Vees and Kelowna Rockets on Nov. 12 and 14.

The back-to-back wins for Lethbridge come after a season long eight game losing streak. Despite a lot of results not going their way, Hurricane head coach Matt Anholt says the Hurricanes have liked their compete level in recent games.

“Aside from those Red Deer games, I think we’ve been extremely happy with our game over the  two and a half weeks. Playing really good teams like PA or Calgary and Brandon. We know we were right in those games and now to get these wins against Regina and Saskatoon teams that are ahead of us in the standings, it’s just huge for our group.”

One standout for Lethbridge over the past two games has been goaltender Koen Cleaver. The 18-year-old has made more than 30 saves in each of his past two outings, with 36 against Saskatoon on Wednesday and 30 against Regina.

On the year, Cleaver holds a 9-20-0-1 record, a 4.64 Goals Against Average and an .868 save percentage for the Hurricanes. The Port Alberni, B.C. product is in his first full season as the primary starter for Lethbridge after sitting behind Jackson Unger last year.

Before the win against Regina, Cleaver had been in the midst of a 10 game personal losing streak when he had started in net. Anholt says he’s happy to see Cleaver start to have some success. 

“18 years old is a little bit on the younger side for a starter in this league and he’s had some trials and tribulations this year. His confidence in himself hasn’t wavered in his work ethic and how he prepares every day, comes into practice ready to rock. Super happy for him that he’s able to get on a little bit of a winning streak here himself. There’s been a lot of games where he’s played really well, and we have not played well in front of him. Really pumped for him to be a part of two big wins in these last two games.”

With just 20 games left to go on their schedule, Lethbridge sits seven points back of the Red Deer Rebels for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Both Red Deer and Regina, who sit above the Hurricanes in the standings, have multiple games in hand.

Assistant captain Hudson Kibblewhite says he hopes Lethbridge can make some noise as they get closer to the end of the regular season.

“You want to play meaningful games. We’re not thinking about not making playoffs. We want to make playoffs. We want to play meaningful games. Even if it’s just one round, we want to play those meaningful games. All our young guys need that experience and I know I need that experience, too. Even being an 18-year-old, I want that experience.”

Lethbridge will conclude a four game homestand tonight when they take on the Calgary Hitmen at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. The Hitmen sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 25-12-6-1 record and are riding a three game winning streak of their own. 

“It’s going to be a good test.” Anholt said “They’ve had our number over the last little bit. I think our last game against them, we lost 5-1 but it was more of a 2-1 game. We’re both two young teams retool and they’ve done a really good job with their young group and some of those guys are having impressive years. Their special teams and goaltending have been outstanding. We’re going to have to watch some of the video, make a couple of corrections and get ready for Calgary.”

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.