Hurricanes can’t top Hitmen

Four third period goals weren’t enough for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The Canes were downed 6-5 by the Calgary Hitmen in Western Hockey League play Friday night in Calgary.

Lethbridge surged late with four third-period goals, but the Hitmen replied with two of their own in the final minutes, just enough to make their 4-1 lead after two periods stand up for their first win of the season while the Canes drop to 3-4-0-1.

Calgary opened a 2-0 lead after the first period on goals from Mark Kastelic and Jake Kryski and padded their lead to 3-0 7:40 into the second on Riley FiddlerSchultz’s first of the season.

Hurricanes veteran Jake Elmer netted his fifth of the season to get Lethbridge on the board midway through the second, but Dakota Krebs restored the Hitmen’s three-goal lead with 54 seconds left in the second period.

Lethbridge’s Zachary Cox made it 4-2 2:45 into the third, but goals from Kaden Elder and Kastelic put Calgary back up 6-2, ending the night for Hurricanes goaltender Carl Tetachuk, who had replaced Reece Klassen after he gave up two goals on seven shots in the first period.

The Canes set up the interesting finish in the final 6:05 on a pair of goals from Logan Barlage before Jadon Joseph made it a one-goal game with 58 seconds remaining.

But they didn’t get any closer as the Hitmen hung on for the win as the Hurricanes return to the Enmax Centre tonight at 7 p.m. when they take on the Prince George Cougars.

The Hurricanes outshot the Hitmen 38-37 as Tetachuk stopped 26 of 30 shots and Klassen turned aside five of seven.

Lethbridge’s power play was 1for-4, while Calgary’s 1-for-3.

Elmer added an assist for a two-point night, while Noah Boyko chipped in with two assists.