Hurricanes emerge from grueling slate unscathed

The Swift Current K Motel Hurricanes are now unbeaten in 16 games after emerging from a grueling four-day stretch unscathed in the South Sask Midget AA Hockey League regular season and the provincial playoffs.

The Hurricanes took a commanding lead in the second round of the provincial playoffs with a 7-1 win over the visiting Estevan Bruins last Thursday. The Hurricanes led 1-0 after one period but broke the game open with four second-period goals.

“We had a rough start there, but we just know we are the best team in the league five-on-five. So if we take it to them and own it in their end we are a lot better in their end than we are in our own end,” said forward Marcus Kouri.

The Hurricanes got fourpoint outings from Drieden Gauthier and Kouri and scored their final four goals on the powerplay in game one of the two-game, totalgoal series.

“Yeah we had a little rough patch on special teams the last few games, but we were working on it in practice and it showed today,” said Kouri.

Kyle Zinger made 26 saves on 27 shots and Gauthier and Kouri each registered two goals and two assists, while Braden Wittmier scored twice. Rhett Carlson also scored in the win.

Carter Tangen and Parker Wall each had two assists, while Jesse Wellsch, Ryan Evans, Brody Knelsen, Taylor Cowie, and Tanner Fritzke all added single helpers.

Landon Audet made the start for Estevan but the Hurricanes chased him with four goals on 21 shots over 27:40. Cam Lavoie worked the final 32:20 and allowed three goals on 32 shots.

The eighth seeded Bruins had upset the top seeded Regina Capitals in the opening round of the provincial playoffs.

“We knew they were going to have a lot of momentum coming into today, so we just wanted to hit them and shut it down and tell them who’s boss in the league,” said Kouri.

Game two will be played Sunday back in Estevan. “We just have to make sure we get pucks in and play defense first,” said Kouri as he looked towards game two.