West finished the match with six successes from seven attempts at goal and would have got the thumbs up from Barrett afterwards for super option taking and running of the backline.
The Sharks deserve praise for their contribution to the spectacle, particularly their outstanding defence in the second half when they kept the Canes tryless for 43 minutes.
While naturally disappointed with the loss Sharks captain, lock Ruan Botha, was proud of the manner in which his lads "got stuck in".
Before the match there was plenty of talk suggesting McLean Park surface wasn't up to the standard required to host a Super Rugby match in the wake of a cricket fixture staged at the venue less than a fortnight before kickoff. If the park was shoddy the standard of play from both teams certainly wasn't.
West was spot on. The character within the Hurricanes team is top shelf. The manner in which they won last night will serve them well at the business end of the season.
The Sharks applied the early pressure and were rewarded with a handy penalty kick from first five-eighth Robert du Preez in the third minute. The Hurricanes took the lead in the seventh minute with a try to fullback Jordie Barrett who again proved why he is almost as classy as his brother.
A clever flick pass from West put second five-eighth Ngani Laumape over for a try in the 15th minute. West added the conversion and the Canes led 12-3.
Superb continuity from the Sharks resulted in a try to centre Lukhanyo Am in the 20th minute which du Preez converted to keep the visitors in the hunt.
Soft defence from the Canes allowed Sharks halfback Louis Schreuder to score in the 24th minute. Du Preez was again on target with the extras, his 16th consecutive success at goal in two matches in New Zealand.
A clever kick from West behind the Sharks defensive line set centre Vince Aso away on a 76 metre run to the tryline in the 30th minute. West slotted the conversion and the Canes were back in front.
Another penalty from du Preez had the Sharks ahead 20-19 after 33 minutes. The Canes were guilty of kicking too much ball away and Am had his second try in the 35th minute and with du Preez adding the extras the Sharks led 27-19 at halftime.
Two penalties from West in the 43rd and 50th minutes had the Canes back in contention. Another du Preez penalty in the 53rd minute had the Sharks ahead 30-25.
A 36-metre penalty from West helped the hosts cause. But a converted try to Sharks substitute forward Tyler Paul in the 74th minute had the visitors ahead 37-28.
Another handy penalty from West had the Canes trailing by six with three minutes remaining. Laumape scored his second try in the 84th minute which West converted to secure the win.
South Africans fans have every right to toast the goalkicking form of du Preez. He has landed all 20 attempts at goal in two matches on New Zealand soil.
The Hurricanes Development team beat their Chiefs counterparts 40-10 in the curtainraiser. Hawke's Bay outside back J J Taulagi scored two tries for the hosts.
Fellow Magpies wider training squad members, fullback Danny Toala and first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, kicked the conversions with four and one respectively.
Second five-eighth Peter Umaga-Jensen, centre Billy Proctor, winger Te Rangatira Waitokia and prop Sione Asi scored the Hurricanes other tries.
Match highlights
■Heartstopper: When the Sharks stole a Hurricanes lineout five metres out in the 66th minute. The visitors led 30-25 at that stage.
■Turning point: Hurricanes first five-eighth Ihaia West's 85th-minute conversion of second five-eighth Ngani Laumape's try which secured the victory.
■Player of the match: After this thriller it has to be shared between West who secured the win and Sharks pivot Robert du Preez who landed all seven of his attempts at goal.
■Scorers: Hurricanes 38 (Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape 2, Vince Aso tries; Ihaia West 3 cons, 4 pens) Sharks 37 (Lukhanyo Am 2, Louis Schreuder, Tyler Paul tries; Robert du Preez 4 cons, 3 pens).
Halftime: Sharks 27-19.
