By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Skinner unbreakable as Hurricanes blank Ice

Nov 25, 2017 | 8:59 PM

CRANBROOK, B.C. – The Lethbridge Hurricanes are heading home after a six game road trip, and for the first time in a little while, there seems to be growing optimism around the club.

They capped the stretch of away games by winning their third straight, shutting out the Kootenay Ice 3-0 Saturday night, Nov. 25.

The score is a little deceiving though, as it required a massive effort from No. 1 goaltender, Stuart Skinner, to keep the Ice off the board.

Skinner was forced to turn away 18 shots in the first period alone to keep the period scoreless, as the Hurricanes only managed five of their own. Putting that a little more into perspective, the ‘Canes only put 23 shots total on Ice goalie Duncan McGovern through the entire 60 minute contest.

The second period is where the visitors did all of their damage, as Ryan Vandervlis, Jordy Bellerive and Jake Elmer all scored over a five minute span midway through the frame.

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They would close out the win in the third, killing four penalties and helping Skinner to preserve a 47-save shutout in the process.

The three game run for the Hurricanes has them back in a playoff spot, following an ugly eight-game skid that saw them slip down the standings. They are fortunate to have stayed in the hunt, as their losing streak coincided with an even worse stretch for Red Deer, who the Hurricanes leap-frogged Saturday night for third spot in the Central Division.

Lethbridge is now off until Tuesday, Nov. 28, when they will host the Portland Winterhawks at the ENMAX Centre. That will kick off a three game home stand for the ‘Canes.