Hitmen Come Up Short in 4-3 Loss to Rebels
Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen opened a weekend home-and-home set with Red Deer tonight by hosting the Rebels at Scotiabank Saddledome. A strong third period for Calgary wouldn’t be enough with the club falling to the visitors 4-3.
Carson Wetsch netted his 22nd of the season to open up game scoring in the first five minutes. Red Deer would follow up with a shorthanded tally from Ollie Josephson and a power play goal from Kalan Lind to give them the lead heading into the second. Calgary would be kept off the scoresheet in the second period, with Red Deer netting another two goals from Carson Birnie and Talon Brigley to extend their lead to three.
Down 4-1 entering the third, Calgary began to mount a comeback with Keets Fawcett finding the back of the net for his 17th of the year to cut the lead in half just over five minutes into the period. Maxim Muranov was quick to add another, scoring 41 seconds later to put Calgary within one. Two Calgary penalties in the last half of the period would slow Calgary’s momentum, ultimately falling short of completing the comeback.
Shots finished 36-32 in favour of Red Deer. Carson Wetsch earned second star with a goal and an assist. Calgary sits three points out of the playoff picture behind the Prince Albert Raiders and the Lethbridge Hurricanes who are tied in the standings, both with a game in hand.
Calgary makes the return trip to Red Deer tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 9 for a 7:00 p.m. start with the Rebels at Peavey Mart Centrium. The Hitmen will then head to Edmonton to face the Oil Kings the following weekend on Friday, Mar. 15 in a 7:00 p.m. puck drop at Rogers Place.
