Calgary Hitmen Fall 4-0 to Lethbridge Hurricanes at Home

UPDATE: The Calgary Hitmen suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the Scotiabank Saddledome earlier today, marking a disappointing end to their opening weekend.

Special teams played a pivotal role in this matchup, with the Hitmen going 0-for-4 on power plays while successfully killing off all four opportunities for the Hurricanes. Koen Cleaver turned in an exceptional performance, stopping all 28 shots from Calgary to earn the shutout.

Shane Smith and Luke Cozens were standout players for Lethbridge, each netting two goals. Smith opened the scoring late in the first period and added another in the second, giving the Hurricanes a comfortable 2-0 lead after 40 minutes of play.

Cozens sealed the victory for Lethbridge with two goals in the third period, including an empty-net marker in the final minute, ensuring a decisive win for the visitors. The Hurricanes outshot the Hitmen 32-28 in a game that showcased their offensive prowess.

In goal, Hitmen’s Eric Tu made 28 saves but could not prevent the loss. Newly acquired forward Caine Wilke made his debut for the Hitmen, while teammates Ben Kindel (Pittsburgh), Brandon Gorzynski (Dallas), and Axel Hurtig (Calgary) remained at NHL training camps.

The Hitmen are now shifting their focus to a full week of practice as they prepare to face the Edmonton Oil Kings next Saturday, September 27, 2023, at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Fans are eager to see how the team rebounds from this tough loss.

This defeat highlights the urgent need for improvement as the Hitmen look to make a mark this season. Stay tuned for updates and coverage on their upcoming games.