Hitmen Shutout by Rebels at the ‘Dome
The Calgary Hitmen welcomed their central division rivals the Red Deer Rebels to the Scotiabank Saddledome Friday night. The visitors came out with a 3-0 win, taking the first of the home-and-home set.
There was no shortage of offensive opportunity for Calgary, who came up against hot goaltending, unable to put one past Red Deer netminder Rhett Stroesser who turned away 40 shots in tonight’s game. Carson Latimer opened the scoring for Red Deer with a power play marker at 7:42 in the first. A possible turning point for Calgary, was a four-minute power play in the first period which produced multiple grade A chances, but they weren’t able to find the back of the net. Captain Tyson Galloway 200th career game was cut short when he left the game in the first period with an upper body injury. The defenceman would not return, leaving Calgary’s backend short with five defenceman.
Latimer would score his second of the game shorthanded just under a minute into the second period to give Red Deer a two-goal lead. Calgary responded, outshooting Red Deer 15-5 in the second but were kept off the scoresheet. The third remained scoreless, with the push from Calgary being interrupted by an untimely penalty in the final three minutes. With Ethan Buenaventura on the bench, Talon Brigley found the empty net to seal the victory for Red Deer. Shots finished 40-30 in favour of Calgary. The team now sits three points ahead Red Deer in the central division and four points back of Lethbridge for third place.
Calgary is in Red Deer tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 18 for a rematch with the Rebels. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Peavey Mart Centrium. Calgary will then return home to host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday, Nov. 25 in a 7:00 p.m. start at the ‘Dome.
