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Hurricanes fall 5-1 during last regular season home game

Mar 17, 2017 | 10:31 PM

LETHBRIDGE – It wasn’t exactly the way the Lethbridge Hurricanes hoped to end their regular season at home.

They were routed 5-1 by the Medicine Hat Tiger, in front of a sold out crowd at the Enmax Centre. The Lethbridge boys couldn’t seem to find the back of the net on eight power play opportunities through 60-minutes of regulation play.

It was somewhat of a slow start Friday (Mar. 17) night, with the Tigers’ John Dahlstrom registering the game opening goal 12:52 into the first period. James Hamblin, assisted by Zach Fisher, had the game winner just minutes later.

The Hurricanes still couldn’t make up for what they had lost in the second frame. An insurance goal by Chad Butcher early on was answered by Ryan Bowen at the 7:33 mark, with Jordy Bellerive on the assist. Stuart Skinner let one last goal slip by at the half way point of the period.

But it appeared that Lethbridge’s fate was sealed by 12:08 in the third period, with another point by Hamblin. Medicine Hat registered a total of 42 shots on goal — compared to Lethbridge’s 33 — and took advantage of one of their four power play attempts.

The Hurricanes are now 44-20-4-3, with just one regular season game left. They will be looking for a comeback against the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Canalta Centre, before the first round of the 2017 WHL playoffs begin on March 25 and 26. 

The Canes will take on the Red Deer Rebels at the Enmax Centre for game one. Action starts at 7:00 p.m., tickets go on sale Saturday (Mar. 18).