Lethbridge,  AB – Less than a week after their last pre-season meeting which Medicine Hat won 8-4, the  Hurricanes and Tigers played the rematch, this time from the ENMAX Centre where Lethbridge played an exhibition game on home ice for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. The Canes scratched Connor Sutton, Lenny Hackman, Graham Hood, Harrison Harper, Kolten Olynek and Christopher Tai for the game while the starters where Albin Blomqvist, Dan Johnston, Michael Sofillas, Craig Leverton, Jay Merkley and Ty Rimmer.

The Tigers got on board on a goal just over 4 minutes into the game. Gavin Broadhead’s shot beat Rimmer high glove side (the first goal the 20-year old gave up this preseason). The lead for the Tigers didn’t last as Reid Duke (Spencer Galbraith) put home a redirection that beat Marek Langhamer 5-hole and the game was all knotted up at one. With less than 7 minutes to go in the first, Blake Penner had a chance to take the lead for the Tigers after Penner would force a turnover but Rimmer would shut the door and the opening 20 minutes would end with the division rivals tied at 1 while the shots favored Medicine Hat 13 – 8.

The Tigers did take the lead and it came just 20 seconds into the middle frame with Boston Leier put one shortside on Rimmer, but again the lead would be short-lived. Four minutes later, Spencer Galbraith (Joel Topping, Jaimen Yakubowski) teed off from the point and his rocket beat Langhamer to even things up once again. Later in the period, Remi Laurencelle would find Jamal Watson (Laurencelle, Topping) in the slot and he would bury his first of the pre-season giving the Canes their first lead of the game 3-2. Shots on goal after the 2^nd once again favored Medicine Hat 27-24.

Lethbridge had a chance for a 4-2 lead when Jay Merkley was rewarded a penalty shot midway through the 3^rd but he was unable to convert. After a timeout and the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Rimmer made a number of key saves to prevent the equalizer as the Hurricanes win the rematch with the Tigers 3-2. Final shots on goal were 34-32 Medicine Hat. The Tigers were 0/4 on the powerplay while Lethbridge was 0/1.

Next up for the Canes is the “Thunder Challenge” tournament in the Crowsnest Pass. Friday night the Canes will host the Kootenay Ice at 7:00pm and they’ll close out the tournament and their preseason Saturday against the Calgary Hitmen. For ticket information on this event, contact Chad Petrone via email at chad@logomotives.ca

Following their exhibition season, the Hurricanes will host the Tigers on September 21^st in the DQ Home Opener at 7:00pm. Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 36 regular season home games through the ENMAX Centre at (403) 329-SEAT.