Hitmen in tough after dropping pair in Lethbridge

The Western Hockey League playoffs have begun and the Calgary Hitmen are taking part. Unfortunately, they have yet to get a win after dropping two games in Lethbridge.

The Hitmen came into this game having not won in a couple weeks – they lost their last four games in the regular season. But they played a strong game against a deep Hurricanes squad. Captain Mark Kastelic and rookie Devan Klassen scored to spot the Hitmen to 1-0 and 2-1 leads.

But Lethbridge just kept coming. Colorado Avalanche prospect Nick Henry and 2019 NHL Draft top prospect Dylan Cozens scored to tie the game. And Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Calen Addison scored 5:43 into overtime to get the Hurricanes the win and a 1-0 series lead.

The visitors weren’t nearly as into this game as they were into the first one – either that or the Hurricanes weren’t caught as off guard. It took them until overtime to get a lead in Game 1; it took them just 25 seconds in Game 2, and they never let up.

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jake Leschyshyn had a hat trick and Henry had the other goal to power the Hurricanes to a fairly one-sided win. Dakota Krebs scored midway through the third period to spoil Carl Tetachuk’s shutout bid.

The Hitmen head home in desperate need of a win (or two). They host the Hurricanes at the Saddledome on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, part of a stretch of five nights of hockey at the barn.

If they want to avoid a sweep, they’ll need to find a way to solve the Hurricanes’ depth.