Hurricanes Earn 5-2 Victory Over Rebels to Open Busy Weekend
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended a two-game home losing streak on Friday with a 5-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels at the ENMAX Centre.
The Hurricanes looked for a response after a disappointing 6-1 loss on Wednesday to the Edmonton Oil Kings. Lethbridge had a good start to the game as they traded chances with Red Deer in the early going but neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first half of the period. The ‘Canes opened the scoring at the 13:09 mark as Leo Braillard rifled home his 13th goal of the season with a wrist-shot off the right-wing to make it 1-0; Tristen Doyle and Joe Arntsen earned the assists on the goal. Red Deer responded to tie the game on a five-on-three power play goal by Kai Uchacz who scored his team-leading 41st goal of the year to make it 1-1. Just 1:22 later, the Hurricanes pulled back in front when Landen Ward cashed in a rebound for his third goal of the season to end a 56-game goal drought to give Lethbridge a 2-1 lead; Doyle and Hayden Pakkala picked up the helpers on the goal. Shots were even 8-8 in the first period as the ‘Canes held the one-goal lead.
Red Deer had an early power play opportunity in the second period as they looked to draw even with Logan Wormald in the box for a cross-check. The Rebels had a pair of good looks but couldn’t solve Harrison Meneghin as it stayed 2-1 Lethbridge. Red Deer did eventually pull even on a rebound goal by Talon Brigley who banged home his 19th goal of the season to tie the game 2-2; Ollie Josephson and Carson Birnie drew the assists on the goal. The Hurricanes had their first power play of the game late in the period and came close to restoring their lead on a jam-play by Trae Wilke, but the puck hit the goal-post as the game stayed tied after two periods. Red Deer outshot Lethbridge 10-8 in the second period.
In the third period, the Hurricanes pulled ahead with an early by as Miguel Marques wired a shot from the right wing beating Chase Wutzke bardown for his 27th goal of the season just 3:51 into the period to give Lethbridge a 3-2 lead; Braeden Wynne and Pakalla earned the assists on the goal. Lethbridge added to their lead when Brayden Edwards snuck home his team-leading 29th goal with 4:16 remaining in the game; Wutzke appeared to make a save on a cross-crease chance, but after a lengthy review it was determined that the puck crossed the goal line – Marques and Arntsen picked up the helpers on the goal. Red Deer pulled their goaltender late in the game and the Hurricanes iced it with an empty-net goal by Dylan Sydor to make it a 5-2 final.
The Hurricanes outshot the Rebels 11-9 in the third period while the shots were tied 27-27 in the game. The ‘Canes went 0/1 on the power play while Red Deer was 1/3 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #22 Hayden Pakkala (2 assists)
2) ‘Canes – #9 Tristen Doyle (2 assists)
3) Rebels – #26 Talon Brigley (1 goal)
The win for the Hurricanes ended a two-game home losing streak as they improved to 18-10-5-0 at the ENMAX Centre this season. Lethbridge improved to 7-3-0-0 in their last ten games while improved to 10-4-3-0 in their last 17 home games. The ‘Canes improved to 31-28-5-0 on the season.
The Hurricanes will continue their three-in-three weekend on Saturday at 7:00pm as they visit the Red Deer Rebels at Peavey Mart Centrium before they end the weekend with a 4:00pm game against the Calgary Hitmen at Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday afternoon. Lethbridge will return to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, March 22nd when they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
