Kennewick, WA – It’s been a long 6 days since the Lethbridge Hurricanes last saw any game action and it was a win over the Kootenay Ice which evened their record at 2-2 on the season. Tonight was the start of a mini two game US road trip with a stop in Kennewick to play the Tri-City Americans and tonight was also a chance to go a game above .500 for the first time this season. There were also the stories within the game including Ty Rimmer who made his return to his old stomping grounds for the first time since being traded to the Canes at the Bantam Draft in May. Former Hurricanes Forward Phil Tot was facing his former team for the first time since being asked to be traded in the off-season and rookie Defenceman Joel Topping was playing against his older brother Mitch for the first time. The story lines were there, but the real story for the Hurricanes was simply getting a win and 2 points.

For the 5^th straight game, the Canes gave up the first goal to the opposition and for the third time this season the game came within the first 2 minutes. The Ams took the lead 1:35 in when Parker Bowles re-directed a shot past Rimmer. The Canes would get a few chances – including a one-timer from Macoy Erkamps - but Eric Comrie would shut the door on everything the Canes threw his way. The Americans would make it a 2-0 lead when Connor Rankin scored on their second powerplay of the game and would take that lead into the 1^st intermission after narrowly outshooting Lethbridge 10-8.

The Hurricanes would pull within a goal just 6 minutes into the second period when Sam McKechnie would bury his 3^rd of the year behind Comrie as he scooped up the loose puck and fired it home.  Assists on the goal went to Joel Topping and Spencer Galbraith. Any momentum the Canes had didn’t last long as the Americans restored their two-goal lead just 56 seconds later when Justin Feser beat his former teammate high glove side. The Canes would get a few more chances to cut into the lead once again but Comrie stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced in the period as the Canes trailed 3-1.

The Canes played their best period in the 3^rd outshooting Tri-City 17-7, but they couldn’t find a way to put any more pucks behind Eric Comrie.  The Americans would put the game away for good when Dryden Dow beat Rimmer on the power play as Tri-City skated to a 4-1 win despite being outshot 37-28. Tri-City was 2/4 on the powerplay while the Canes were 0/2.

For game summary click here

The Hurricanes close out their mini 2-game US road trip tomorrow night (Saturday) when they visit the Spokane Chiefs.  Game time is 8:00pm MT and the pregame show with Pat Siedlecki can be heard on the home of the Hurricanes, 94.1 CJOC, starting at 7:30pm. Home or on the road follow your Lethbridge Hurricanes with news and team headlines on Twitter @WHLHurricanes, play by play analysis @CanesCast or by checking out our website at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.  Fans can also follow us on our Official Facebook Fan Page at facebook.com/WHLHurricanes or check out the game live on WHL Web TV - log on to whl.ca for details and pricing. Fan can also drop by Pop's Pub South to watch the WHL Webcast live as they present all 36 Hurricanes road games this season.

(Photo Credit: John Allen)