(Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Wormald scores hat trick, Hurricanes win in Tri-City for first time since 1999

Jan 16, 2025 | 11:19 AM

The Lethbridge Hurricanes have broken their Tri-City curse, winning a game against the Americans in Kennewick for the first time since 1999.

The Hurricanes came into the game having won four straight games, with the previous two coming on the road against Swift Current and Moose Jaw. The game marked the Hurricanes debut for forward Anthony Wilson, who was acquired in a trade with Regina ahead of the trade deadline.

In the first period, the Hurricanes got on the scoresheet early, with Logan Wormald scoring 4:22 into the opening frame off a net-front pass from Leo Braillard. The goal was Wormald’s 22nd of the season, with Tristen Doyle picking up the second assist.

Later on, with 1:29 left in the first, Wormald struck again, grabbing a loose puck off a turnover and toe dragging before sliding the puck through the five hole of Americans goaltender Lukas Matecha for his second of the night, assisted by Brayden Edwards.

The second period only saw one goal, with Tri-City cutting Lethbridge’s lead in half just 45 seconds in. Terrell Goldsmith threw the puck towards the net, and after hitting a defender, Max Curran shot the puck past Jackson Unger to make it 2-1.

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The Hurricanes penalty kill went to work in the second, killing off minor infractions to Jordan Gustafson and Trae Johnson.

In the third, the Hurricanes outshot the Americans 15-5, but could not get another one past Matecha in regulation. 9:48 into the period, the Americans would tie it up with a goal from Gavin Garland after a Hurricanes turnover in their own end. The goal was Garland’s 20th of the season.

After regulation solved nothing, the two teams went into overtime in front of 2,561 fans. After leading possession and on the shot sheet for much of overtime, the Hurricanes ended the game with 21 seconds left. Brayden Edwards entered the Americans’ zone on a 2-on-1, and passed it to Wormald, who rifled it past Matecha to cap off his first career hat trick and win the game 3-2.

The goal also marked Wormald’s ninth game winning goal of the season, which ties him with Everett’s Carter Bear for the most in the WHL.

For his efforts, Wormald was named the first star of the game, with Matecha and Garland rounding out two and three.

The Hurricanes will get one day off before heading to Wenatchee on Friday, December 17 to play the Wild.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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