Competition was fierce at the Enmax Centre on Thursday night as the final game of the Subway Super Series brought world-class action to Lethbridge.
Every year the very best players from each of the three leagues underneath the umbrella of the Canadian Hockey League take on a select group of Russian junior players in a six-game series. This series is seen as a sneak preview of future World Junior Championship teams, so the stakes are always high.
After falling to the Russian junior team 3-2 via shootout in Red Deer on Wednesday night, the Western Hockey League (WHL) all-stars were looking for retribution in Lethbridge.
WHL Forward Greg Chase had two goals, which proved to be the difference as the all-star team defeated the Russians 4-2.
The WHL’s massive 42-17 lead in shots on goal contributed to the comeback from being down 2-0 in the first intermission, roaring back with four unanswered tallies in the second and third frames.
Cam Moon, director of radio broadcasts and media relations for the Red Deer Rebels, says the level of talent in the super series is always top notch.
“The WHL players in this event are either already drafted by National Hockey League teams or are going to be drafted this year. They have all been noticed by the [NHL],” he said.
Former NHL player and coach, Brent Sutter, was behind the bench for the WHL team, giving an extra taste of what these young players’ future may hold.
“The players benefit from incredible coaching in this league. Brent has a long history of helping develop players for professional hockey and knows what it takes to get to the next level,” said Moon.
Although the WHL all-star team did not feature any members of the Lethbridge Hurricanes roster this year, Communications and Public Relations Manager of the Hurricanes, Esther Madziya, says the event is still very important for the city.
“The success of the event shows that the CHL knows Lethbridge is a great market for hockey that can support events like these,” said Madziya.
WHLs victory on Thursday night tied the six game series at three games apiece, making this the second year in a row that the teams both had the same amount of victories at the end of the series.
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