Cozens scores overtime winner for Hurricanes

Dylan Cozens scored 1:17 into overtime as the Lethbridge Hurricanes secured a 3-2 victory over the Kootenay Ice in Western Hockey League play Wednesday night in Cranbrook.

Cozens’ 15th goal of the season allowed the Hurricanes to improve to 15-8-3-2 and remain tied for second place in the Central Division with the Edmonton Oil Kings, one point back of the Red Deer Rebels.

Jake Leschyshyn and Alex Cotton also scored for Lethbridge, who won their fourth consecutive game.

Cole Muir and Jakin Smallwood replied for Kootenay, which trails the Central Division pack at 7-20-4-1.

Cotton scored his second goal of the season 8:24 into the first period, before Muir tied it 1:17 into the second. Smallwood put the Ice ahead at 12:39, before Leschyshyn, acquired last week from the Regina Pats, scored his 18th of the season and second as a Hurricane four minutes later to tie the game.

Calen Addison assisted on the first two Hurricane goals.

The teams played a scoreless third period, in which Lethbridge held a 10-4 edge in shots but was unable to convert on a pair of power-play chances.

Reece Klassen stopped 28 of 30 shots to record the victory, while Jesse Makaj faced 39 shots in the Kootenay goal.

Lethbridge continues their preChristmas road trip with games in Spokane on Friday and Tri-City on Saturday.