File photo of the Lethbridge Hurricanes on September 22, 2023. The Hurricanes suffered their first loss of the season on October 1 on the road against Edmonton. (Photo: LNN)

By Joel Mendelson

Edmonton hands Lethbridge first loss of WHL season

Oct 2, 2023 | 1:11 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes finished their two-game road trip in Edmonton with an 8-5 loss on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Hurricanes rookie goaltender Brady Smith made his first start in the WHL on Sunday. The Oil Kings tested Smith early on the power play, but he was able to turn them away with a couple of saves.

Late in the period, Marshall Finnie scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season to give the Oil Kings a 1-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived for Edmonton, as just 11 seconds later, Anton Astashevich tipped-in a point shot from Joe Arntsen to tie the game. Blake Swetlikoff also earned an assist on the goal. The period ended in a 1-1 tie, with the Hurricanes leading the shots category 14-11.

The second period was a struggle for the Hurricanes. They allowed a shorthanded goal to Rilen Kovacevic at the 6:21 mark. Just 28 seconds later, Kovacevic banked a shot off Brady Smith to score his second of the game, and year, giving the Oil Kings a 3-1 lead.

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Adam Jecho and Vojtech Port potted a couple more for Edmonton before the period ended. The Oil Kings took a 5-1 lead going into the second intermission.

Early in the third period, the ‘Canes cut the lead to three with a rebound goal from Dustin Renas. Luke Cozens earned his first WHL assist on the play, while Hayden Smith got the other. Just past the halfway mark in the third, Noah Chadwick wired a shot from the point to make it a two-goal game.

The Oil Kings quickly rebuilt their lead. Less than one minute later, Jecho scored his second of the match-up, extending the lead back to three.

Lethbridge responded immediately as 23 seconds later, Miguel Marques picked up his first goal of the season, making it a 6-4 game.

The ‘Canes allowed an empty net goal to Marc Lajoi and Nathan Pilling, although Renas did score his second of the night for Lethbridge between the two Edmonton goals.

The Oil Kings won the game 8-5, despite being outshot 29-44 in the match, and 17-8 in the third period.

The Hurricanes suffered their first loss of the season, and their record is now 3-1-0-0.

The ‘Canes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, October 6, 2023 to welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors.

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