Hurricanes Answer Back, Beat Rebels 2-1 in Red Deer
Red Deer, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes travelled to Red Deer on Saturday night and earned a 2-1 win over the Rebels to earn the weekend split against their Central Division rivals.
It was a good pace to the first period as both teams had chances to open the scoring. Affiliate player Jett Jones, who made his Hurricanes debut last night, had two great chances early in the game to score his first WHL goal but was stymied by Ethan Anders both times. Red Deer opened the scoring with a power play goal by Jeff de Wit at the 12:27 mark to make it 1-0; Alexander Alexeyev and Reese Johnson earned the helpers on the goal as the Rebels led 1-0 after one period.
The Hurricanes were on their heels early in the second period as the Rebels started the middle frame with a power play but despite some good chances and a goal post by Brandon Hagel were unable to capitalize with the extra man. The Rebels poured it on in the first ten minutes of the period but Carl Tetachuk was strong keeping it a 1-0 game. The ‘Canes took over the second half of the period and struck to tie the game as Jake Leschyshyn ended a seven-game goalless drought with his team-leading 26th goal of the season to make it 1-1 after forty minutes of play; Nick Henry and Calen Addison earned the assists on the goal.
The two teams continued to trade chances in the third period as Alexeyev had a great chance midway through the period but Tetachuk made a miraculous save to keep the game tied 1-1. Shortly after the Tetachuk save, the Hurricanes scored to pull ahead as Jackson Shepard ended a 15-game goalless drought with his third of the season on a two-on-one at the 9:52 mark to make it 2-1 Lethbridge; Logan Barlage and Scott Mahovlich earned the assists on the goal. The Rebels pushed at the end but were unable to tie the game as the ‘Canes were able to hang on to the 2-1 victory.
Shots on goal in the third period favoured the Hurricanes 12-10 but it was the Rebels the held the edge 36-31 in the game. The ‘Canes went 0/3 on the power play while the Rebels went 1/4 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #35 Carl Tetachuk (35 saves)
2) Rebels – #22 Brandon Hagel
3) Rebels – #13 Oleg Zaytsev
The victory for the Hurricanes ends a two-game losing streak as they improved to 15-5-2-2 in their last 24 games. The win boasts their overall record to 24-13-4-4 on the season.
The Hurricanes will continue a four-game road stretch next Friday when they begin a three-in-three weekend in Seattle against the Thunderbirds. The ‘Canes will return to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, February 2nd when they welcome the Red Deer Rebels. Tickets can be purchased online at www.enmaxcentre.ca, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
