The Lethbridge Hurricanes find themselves in a dire situation following a 5-3 loss to the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Mistelbacher scores hat trick, Broncos beat Hurricanes 5-3 to take 3-0 series lead

Apr 3, 2024 | 11:35 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes find themselves in a dire situation following a 5-3 loss to the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

The Hurricanes came into the game down 2-0 in the seven game series following losses in Swift Current over the weekend. Just before the start of the game, the Hurricanes recognized Miguel Marques who led the team in scoring this season.

The game did not begin strong for Lethbridge, as Luke Mistelbacher scored just 37 seconds into the opening frame with a shot off the foot of Tristen Doyle’s skate. Mistelbacher then followed that up at the 6:40 mark with another goal, this time on the powerplay after a slashing penalty from Brayden Edwards.

Later on in the frame, needing a goal, the Hurricanes got on the scoresheet when Dylan Sydor scored off a feed from Sean Tschigerl. The goal was Sydor’s first of the playoffs.

In the second period, the Hurricanes brought the momentum early. Following an early penalty by Edwards, Tschigerl grabbed the puck for a shorthanded breakaway, beating Reid Dyck to tie the game at 2. Joe Arntsen got the second assist on the goal.

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However, the momentum would not last long, as Josh Filmon scored just 35 seconds later to restore the Broncos’ lead. At the 8:05 mark of the second, Mistelbacher completed his hat trick, scoring on the powerplay from Owen Pickering and Josh Filmon. Mistelbacher’s goal chased Harrison Meneghin fom the net, and Brady Smith came in.

The Broncos would add another at the 15:18 mark of the period, with Conor Geekie scoring his team’s fourth powerplay goal of the game to make it 5-2. The goal was Geekie’s third goal of the playoffs.

In the third period, the Hurricanes added another goal, with Edwards netting his first of the playoffs from Miguel Marques and Noah Chadwick. Despite pulling Smith late in the game for an extra attacker, the Hurricanes could not get the puck past Reid Dyck, and the game ended 5-3 with the Broncos taking a 3-0 series lead.

Mistelbacher was named the game’s first star, while Tschigerl and Geekie were the second and third stars, respectively.

The Hurricanes will look to stave off elimination on Wednesday, April 3 when they host the Broncos for game four. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

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