Hurricanes set for showdown

The Swift Current K-Motel Hurricanes finished 2014 in fifth spot in the 14-team South Saskatchewan Midget AA Hockey League, only three points out of second spot, after playing unbeaten hockey in December and over their past six games overall.

They rounded out December with a draw against the Regina Rangers and a win over the Moose Jaw Warriors at home.

December 20, the Hurricanes tied the host Rangers 2-2 despite outshooting them 69-29. The Hurricanes got goals from Marcus Kouri and Parker Wall, but the Rangers had goals from Lukas Sillinger and Colby Brandt. Wall scored with only 46 seconds left in regulation to salvage the single point after Travis Beaudry made 67 saves for Regina. Kyle Zinger picked up the tie with 27 saves in the Swift Current goal.

Devon Schultz, Rhett Carlson, Kouri, and Dylan Rossiter all had assists for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes closed out the year on home ice the following day with a 3-1 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Swift Current trailed in the second period but Taylor Cowie tied the game up with a bad angle goal for a 1-1 tie after two periods.

Kouri scored the game winner with an outstanding solo effort to split the Warriors' defense before deking out Thomas Nartineau to the backhand with 7:05 left in regulation. Braden Wittmier added an insurance goal when he knocked home a puck during a scramble with 4:50 left on the clock.

Brody Knelsen had a pair of assists, while Jonas Sadden, Carter Tangen, and Ryan Evans all added singles in the win.

The Hurricanes finished 2014 with a 12-7-2 record, only two points out of a second-place tie, with at least two games in hand on all four teams in front of them in the standings.