LETHBRIDGE, Alta. -- Derek Ryckman stood a little taller after the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-1 Western Hockey League win over the Prince George Cougars Friday at the Enmax Centre.
Maybe because he shook a 95-game yoke off two minutes and 25 seconds into the second period, when he snuck in from the point and converted an Alex Kuvaev pass to score his first career goal.
It gave the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead and helped them on their way to a 3-2-0-1 record in six games this season. Maybe more importantly, it solicited a laugh from head coach and general manager Rich Preston.
"He looked like Bobby Orr there," laughed Preston. "It was a water bottle shot. It was a great play by Alexander Kuvaev, looking for the d-man coming in. He hadn't scored in awhile, I don't know how long but it's been a long time."
Ryckman added it was nice to get the monkey off his back. The shock of the goal also seemed to lull the Hurricanes into a sleep, as they committed a number of glaring turnovers and handed over momentum to the Cougars. It took another big moment for the 'Canes to wake up, courtesy of goalie Brandon Anderson.
The Cougars will be in Medicine Hat to face the Tigers tonight (6:30 p.m.), then travel to Edmonton to take on the Oil Kings Monday afternoon (1 p.m.).
See Saturday's Citizen for more.
