By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Hurricanes drop 2-1 shootout decision on home ice against Pats

Feb 5, 2019 | 9:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A fantastic effort in net by starting goaltender Max Paddock helped the Regina Pats topple the Lethbridge Hurricanes 2-1 in a shootout on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Forward Jake Elmer didn’t mince words speaking to the media after the game, saying his team just didn’t compete.

“They walked into our barn and we took them lightly. Guys like myself need to bear down and put a puck in the net when I have a chance. There’re a couple other guys that have to do the same, so I think it’s an all-around group effort. It’s pretty embarrassing honestly to have that team come in here and outwork us in our own rink in front of our fans.”

In the 1st period, both teams traded chances early as the pace to this one was quick, but both Paddock and Hurricanes starter Carl Tetachuk played well to keep things scoreless after 20 minutes. Shots in the first favoured Regina 13-9.

Early in the 2nd period was much of the same, though the Hurricanes did catch a break midway through the frame when Regina missed a wide-open net as Tetachuk was sprawling to make a save.

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The buzzer sounded after 40 with the score still 0-0, and the Pats continued to have the edge in shots at 24-23.

Then in the 3rd period, the Pats would get the ice breaker just past the one-minute mark when Blake Allen redirected a point shot past Tetachuk to make it 1-0. 

At that point, the Hurricanes began to press, and eventually, it would pay off for the home side. With just over six minutes to play, Lethbridge tied the game 1-1 off a Taylor Ross tap in following a great pass by Jake Elmer.

Regulation would solve nothing, and neither would 3-on-3 overtime as a shootout would be needed to decide this one. 

Former Hurricane Ty Kolle shot first for the Pats and scored, then Nick Henry missed for the Hurricanes.

Next up for Regina was Sergei Alkhimov who also found the back of the net, but this time Hurricanes captain Jordy Bellerive would answer.

After a miss by Sebastian Streu, it was up to Dylan Cozens to score to keep the game going, but Paddock outwaited him and sealed it 2-1. Paddock made 38 saves in the game, as the Hurricanes ended up shooting the Pats 39-31 overall. 

Head Coach Brent Kisio wasn’t as critical as Elmer following the game, giving Regina credit for coming out and playing hard, but thought his team could’ve been better.

“We had some opportunities, but we didn’t play the type of game we wanted to play. We were exchanging chances and that left the game up to chance. Wasn’t the style of game we wanted to play tonight.” 

With the loss, Lethbridge’s record now sits at 27-15-4-5 good for 63 points on the season.

Next up for the Hurricanes is a pair of home games this weekend. 

Lethbridge welcomes Moose Jaw to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, Feb. 9, before the high-powered Prince Albert Raiders come to town on Saturday, Feb. 10.