The Lethbridge Hurricanes started the 2024-25 Western Hockey League (WHL) regular season on a high note.
On Friday, September 20, the Canes welcomed the Edmonton Oil Kings to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena for their home and regular season opener.
In front of 4,200 fans, the Friday night battle started off on a sour note for the home team, with Landon Hanson scoring for the Oil Kings at the 8:49 mark. The remainder of the first period went scoreless, with Edmonton leading 1-0 going into the second frame.
Just over four minutes into the second period, Logan McCutcheon tied things up for Lethbridge, with his first goal of the season assisted by Hayden Pakkala and Brady Smith.
The match-up was tied going into the third and final period. At the 4:56 mark, Kale Tipler scored to give Lethbridge the 2-1 lead. Hayden Pakkala recorded his second assist of the game, with Luke Cozens also assisting on Tipler’s goal.
With the clock ticking down for regulation, Leo Braillard scored on an empty Edmonton net to help secure the 3-1 victory for the Hurricanes.
Tristen Doyle and Logan McCutcheon assisted on the goal.
Pakkala was named first star of the game, with McCutcheon earning second star honours and Edmonton’s Landon Hanson named the game’s third star.
VICTORY ON THE ROAD
Lethbridge was right back at it Saturday, September 21, on the road against the Red Deer Rebels. Over 4,300 fans packed the Peavey Mart Centrium.
The home team secured an early lead, with Matteo Fabrizi scoring at the 2:35 mark of the first. It took a while, but Lethbridge responded in the second period, with Hayden Pakkala scoring at 17: 59 of the game’s middle frame. Logan McCutcheon recorded the assist.
The third period was scoreless, which meant the game was headed to overtime tied at one goal apiece. In the extra frame, Logan Wormald played the hero, scoring at 2:51 off an assist from Tristen Doyle, for the 2-1 overtime Hurricanes win.
Lethbridge returns home for their next game.
On Friday, September 27, they will host the Swift Current Broncos. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
