Barlage Scores Twice, Hurricanes Beat Rebels 6-4
Red Deer, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes earned their second straight victory on Friday as they defeated the Red Deer Rebels 6-4 at the ENMAX Centrium.
For the second straight game the ‘Canes inserted another newcomer as Keltie Jeri-Leon made his Hurricanes debut wearing jersey number 18. Jeri-Leon played on a line with Owen Blocker and Jake Elmer.
The Rebels came out flying early and capitalized just 26 seconds into the game as Colin Paradis left a point shy go that beat a screened Logan Flodell to make it 1-0. The Hurricanes equalized just a few minutes later as Brad Morrison scored his third as a ‘Cane at the 2:57 mark to make it 1-1; Jordy Bellerive and Ty Prefontaine earned the assists. The Rebels restores their lead at the 16:27 mark as Grayson Pawlenchuk buried his 14th of the season to make it 2-1. The Rebels added another just 1:21 later as Reese Johnson beat Flodell to make it 3-1 Red Deer after one period of play. Rebels outshot the Hurricanes 13-7 in the opening frame.
The Hurricanes started to take over in the second period as they started to generate great scoring chances but early Riley Lamb stood tall. The ‘Canes finally struck with a power play as the newly appointment Captain Jordy Bellerive snapped home his team-leading 25th goal of the season to pull the Hurricanes within one; Morrison and Dylan Cozens picked up the helpers. The ‘Canes scored again on the power play as Taylor Ross banged home a Morrison rebound to make it a 3-3 game; Bellerive added the second assist. The ‘Canes held the edge in shots 15-4 in the middle period.
In the third period, Logan Barlage scored his first as a Hurricane on a two-on-one as he ripped it bar-down behind Lamb to make it 4-3 Lethbridge 8:54 into the period. Barlage struck again on another two-on-one as this time he snapped it home high glove side to make it 5-3 on an unassisted goal. The Rebels pulled back within one as Mason McCarty scored his 21st to make it a 5-4 game with 6:37 to play. With a late power play, the Rebels pulled the goaltender for a two-man advantage but could solve Flodell. Cozens added an empty-net goal with 1:09 left in the game to seal a 6-4 victory.
The ‘Canes and Rebels each had 10 shots on goal in the third period. Lethbridge outshot Red Deer 32-27 in the game. Hurricanes went 2/4 on the power play and 3/3 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1. ‘Canes – #15 Jordy Bellerive (1 goal, 2 assists)
2. Rebels – #9 Mason McCarty (1 goal, 1 assist)
3. ‘Canes – #27 Logan Barlage (2 goals, including game-winner)
The win improves the Hurricanes record to 19-19-3-0 on the season and gives them a two point cushion on the Kootenay Ice for second in the Central Division.
The ‘Canes return to action on Saturday as they welcome the Ice at the ENMAX Centre at 7:00pm. Tickets are available online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
