Hurricanes Even Series with Rebels
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes bounced back on Sunday night earning a 5-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels at the ENMAX Centre to even their best-of-seven series at one game apiece.
It was all ‘Canes in the first period as they once again came out flying to open the game. The Hurricanes had a great first shift out of the gate by the overage line of Tyler Wong, Matt Alfaro and Zak Zborosky as they combined for two early scoring chances including a goal post but were unable to beat Riley Lamb. The ‘Canes did break through to take a 1-0 lead 6:56 into the game as Ryan Bowen redirected a Brennan Riddle point shot through the legs of Lamb – Jordy Bellerive picked up the second assist. The Hurricanes continued to push with a pair of power play’s but couldn’t add to their lead as they held a one goal lead after twenty minutes of play. The ‘Canes outshot the Rebels 9-4 in the first period.
The Hurricanes continued to carry the play in the second period. Early in the frame Egor Babenko scored his first of two in the period just 1:17 to make 2-0 Hurricanes – Giorgio Estephan and Alec Baer picked up the assists. The ‘Canes’ Brennan Riddle was assessed a delay of game penalty for lifting the puck over the glass but immediately after a defensive zone faceoff the Hurricanes jumped out to a two-on-one and a perfect pass from Matt Alfaro to Tanner Nagel who beat Lamb over the glove giving Lethbridge a 3-0 advantage. Before the period was out, the ‘Canes added another as Babenko finished a three-way passing play for his second of the night as the Hurricanes held a 4-0 lead after two periods. ‘Canes held the edge in the shots 14-9 in the second period.
In the third period, the ‘Canes continued to push early as Babenko completed the hat-trick 2:18 into the period as he lifted it passed Lamb to make it 5-0 – Bellerive picked up the lone assist. Babenko became the first Hurricane to score a post-season hat-trick since March 21st/2009 when Zach Boychuk scored three against the Saskatoon Blades. The Rebels scored a pair of power play goals to get on the board as first Michael Spacek tallied at the 5:59 mark before Evan Polei netted his first at the 11:46 mark to make it a 5-2 final.
The Hurricanes were outshot 13-6 in the third period, but held the edge 29-26 in the hockey game. The ‘Canes went 0/6 on the power play while the Rebels were 2/5 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #22 Egor Babenko – 3 goals
2) ‘Canes – #15 Jordy Bellerive – 2 assists
3) ‘Canes – #8 Alec Baer – 2 assists
The Hurricanes even their best-of-seven series at one game apiece with the 5-2 victory. The series will now shift to Red Deer for games three and four in Red Deer on Wednesday and Thursday.
(Photo Credit: Colin Moreland)
