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The Lethbridge Hurricanes defeated the Regina Pats 5-4 in overtime at the ENMAX Centre on Friday, March 10, 2023. (File photo: LNN)

Hurricanes earn comeback overtime win against Regina Pats

Mar 11, 2023 | 11:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes earned a win in front of a sold out ENMAX Centre crowd on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Excitement filled the air as the Hurricanes played host to budding superstar Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Hurricanes and Regina Pats to face off in sold out arena

Friday’s match-up was the first home game for Lethbridge since February 24, 2023.

FIRST PERIOD

Just over three minutes into the opening period, Connor Bedard scored his 61st goal of the season on a power play, courtesy of an assist from former Lethbridge player Zack Stringer.

The home team responded, however, at the 9:24 mark. Jett Jones scored his 20th goal of the season on a power play to tie the game at one.

Regina would score two more goals before the end of the first period. Tanner Howe earned his 31st goal of the season on a power play at the 11:11 mark, while Braxton Whitehead scored his ninth of the year just under 17 minutes into the period.

The Pats would lead the game 3-1 at the end of the opening frame.

SECOND PERIOD

The Hurricanes earned the upper hand on scoring in the second period. Three and a half minutes into the frame, Miguel Marques scored his seventh goal of the season. Ten minutes later, Tyson Zimmer scored his 17th to tie the Friday night match-up at three goals a piece.

Before the end of the period, Tye Spender scored his 11th goal of the season on a power play to give Regina the 4-3 lead going into the final period.

THIRD PERIOD

The third and final period of regulation only saw one goal. Joe Arntsen scored his 10th of the season with barely any time remaining, at the 17:38 mark to tie the game.

That meant fans would be treated to overtime.

OVERTIME AND UP NEXT

In the extra period, Lethbridge started with 34 seconds of power play time, but the team was unable to score. A turnover from Connor Bedard led to a two-on-one attack from the Hurricanes and resulted in Logan McCutcheon scoring the game winner, his third goal of the season at the 3:39 mark.

Tyson Zimmer of the Hurricanes was named the first star of the game, while teammate Cole Shepard was the second star. Regina’s goaltender Drew Sim was named the third star, with 34 saves on 39 shots.

The Hurricanes are in fifth place in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Eastern Conference standings, with a record of 33-23-3-3. The Pats are in sixth place with a record of 31-26-3-1.

Up next for Lethbridge is a meeting with the Calgary Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, March 15. Meanwhile, the Pats return the ice sooner and will face the Tigers in Medicine Hat on Saturday, March 11.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.