Two bad bounces, a failure to capitalize on early scoring opportunities and a poor third period is what led to the Lethbridge Hurricanes’ 4-3 loss at home last Saturday night against the Swift Current Broncos.

 It was the ‘Canes’ second straight loss to the Broncos in less than 30 hours, as the two teams started an unusual three game miniseries, which kicked off Friday night in Swift Current. The Broncos won that game 4-2.
Just like Friday night, Saturday would end with similar results for the ‘Canes as they would end up trying to play a game of catch-up.
The ‘Canes came out strong, outplaying the Broncos for the first two periods, yet it would be the Broncos who would strike first on their first shot of the game, six minutes in, despite the ‘Canes registering the first 11 shots.
“In the first two periods we definitely out-played them badly, we put a lot of pressure on the defence; we just needed to capitalize on some of those chances early in the game,” said Magrath product Russell Maxwell, who scored the Hurricanes’ first goal, a minute after the Broncos took a 1-0 lead.
Maxwell and fellow rookie teammate Alex Kuvaev broke out on a two on one; Maxwell would use Kuvaev as a decoy, neglecting to pass and put the puck top corner. 
“I was thinking pass right at the blue line, than as the d-man started to close on me, I just shot in a split-second,” said Maxwell.
The Hurricanes would continue to dominate the first period, yet it was the Broncos who would take the lead before the end of the frame, as they were the recipients of a fortunate bounce when the puck deflected off of a Hurricanes defender to give the Broncos a 2-1 lead to end the period.
Three minutes into the second period, Neil Tarnasky would break his 75 game goal-less drought to tie the game up at two with a sweeping wrap-around shot.
“Being game 75, it felt like 75 monkey’s off my back,” said Tarnasky after the game.
 “I had a couple of chances in the first period, missed them, but I didn’t get down on myself. In the second period I got another chance and I just said ‘nope this one is going to the back of the net.’ I just threw it on net and finally got one.”
The ‘Canes came out flat-footed in the third and the Broncos took advantage, out-shooting them 18-10.
Broncos’ forward Taylor Vause would score on a rebound from ‘Canes goaltender Brandon Anderson to go ahead 3-2.
But once again, the ‘Canes would battle back and tie up the game at three, as Mark Reners would put home a pass from Russell Maxwell with nine minutes left in the game. 
The Broncos tallied the game winner by notching their second power-play goal of the period with just six minutes left to play.
“Well we can’t take as many penalties, we have to be better defensively and we can’t give up that many goals,” said ‘Canes coach Rich Preston after the game.
The ‘Canes are back in Swift Current
on Dec. 1 to finish off the three-game miniseries.