Hurricanes lose first-round playoff opener 4-1 to Edmonton Thursday night

10:19 into the frame, Lethbridge’s Tyson Laventure was issued a minor for roughing. Edmonton’s Jaxsen Wiebe was also sent to the box with a minor penalty for the scuffle with Laventure.

Seconds later, at the 10:44 mark, Oil King Jakub Demek received a minor penalty for high sticking. Unfortunately for Hurricanes fans, Lethbridge was unable to take advantage and score.

Lethbridge’s Tristan Zandee was sent to the box at the 14:49 mark after receiving a minor for holding.

SECOND PERIOD

Tensions were high between the two teams going into the second period.

Lethbridge netminder Bryan Thomson was issued a minor for roughing at 3:18, following an altercation with Edmonton’s Shea Van Olm.

Thomson’s penalty was served by skater Miguel Marques. Van Olm was issued a minor for roughing and goalie interference. His roughing penalty was served by teammate Brendan Kuny.

It took a few more minutes before the game’s first goal was scored. Edmonton’s Carter Souch scored at the 9:30 mark to give the Oil Kings the 1-0 lead.

At 13:54, Lethbridge’s Corson Hopwo was sent to the box after being issued a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, putting Edmonton on the power play.

The Oil Kings used that to their advantage, with Dylan Gauthier scoring at 14:47 to give the host team the 2-0 lead.

Before the buzzer sounded, Carter Souch (Edmonton) was issued a minor for delay of game.

THIRD PERIOD

5:20 into the game’s final period, Edmonton’s Jalen Luypen was issued a minor penalty for goalie interference. The Hurricanes were called for having too many men on the ice at 7:43. That penalty was served by Liekit Reichle.

Jalen Luypen did not let his previous penalty deter him and he scored at the 14:40 mark to put Edmonton up 3-0. Lethbridge’s Tristan Zandee received a minor for roughing shortly after, at 15:34, following an altercation with Edmonton’s Simon Kubicek, who also went to the penalty box.

Luke Prokop scored on the empty net at 16:33. His goal gave the Oil Kings a commanding 4-0 lead. His teammate Ethan Peters was issued a minor for cross checking at the 17:44 mark.

The Hurricanes saw a glimmer of hope at the 18:12 mark, with Tyson Laventure scoring on the power play to cut the Oil Kings’ lead down to three.

Just before the game came to a close, Lethbridge’s Joe Arntsen received a 10-minute misconduct penalty at the 18:57 mark. Teammate Corson Hopwo and Edmonton’s Jakub Demek both received penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct at that same time. Hurricane Ty Nash was issued a minor for roughing at the 19:21 mark before the game ended.

Laventure’s late goal was not enough and the Oil Kings left the ice with the 4-1 game one victory.

UP NEXT

The Hurricanes will try to rebound from the loss on Saturday, April 23. Game two of the first-round WHL playoff series is in Edmonton at 7:00 p.m.

The series will shift to the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge for games three and four. Game three is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 and game four will take place Thursday, April 28.

by Justin Goulet

Hurricanes lose first-round playoff opener 4-1 to Edmonton Thursday night

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