Hurricanes Fall 8-1 in Red Deer
Red Deer, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes suffered their fifth loss of 2022 to the on Saturday against the Red Deer Rebels with an 8-1 loss at the Peavy Mart Centrium.
The Hurricanes were looking to win their second game of a three-and-three weekend after Friday night’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Calgary Hitmen. The Rebels were looking to continue their winning momentum after Friday night’s victory against the Swift Current Broncos.
The first period started with good chances from each team but the ‘Canes would find themselves trailing by a goal three minutes in as Ben King beat Jared Picklyk on the power play to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead. The Rebels would capitalize again at the ten-minute mark as Dallon Melin would find the back of the net to extend the Rebels goal to two. The Rebels held the edge in shots for the opening frame 18-10.
The middle frame was dominated by the Rebels. At the 10-minute mark Liam Keeler beat Picklyk for his first of the night. Two minutes later, Keeler capitalized on the power play for his second of the night brining the Rebels lead to four. After the second Keeler goal, the ‘Canes pulled goaltender Picklyk for backup, Harrison Meneghin in his WHL debut. The final Rebels goal of the period came from Ben King, sending the ‘Canes into the final 20 minutes down by five goals. Both teams were tied in shots at the end of the period at 13 a piece.
The final 20 minutes started off well for the Hurricanes as Logan Wormald ended Connor Ungar’s shutout with a power play goal, cutting the Rebels lead to four. The Rebels four goal lead was quickly extended at the eight-minute mark of the third as King beat Meneghin for his second of the night, bringing the Rebels up 6-1. Red Deer continued to dominate the period as Carter Anderson brought the Rebels lead to seven, followed closely by a King hat trick, as the Hurricanes would fall 8-1. The ‘Canes held the edge in shots in the final frame 16-8.
Both teams tied in shots at 39 each. Lethbridge went 1/4 with the extra man as Red Deer went 2/3 on the power play.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Rebels – Ben King (3g, 1a)
2) Rebels – Liam Keeler (2g)
3) Rebels – Arshdeep Bains (2a)
The loss for the ‘Canes is their third straight to the Rebels this season, as their record now falls to 15-17-2-1 on the season; while their record against Red Deer changes to 1-3-1-0.
The Hurricanes will now head to Edmonton for their final game of the three-and-three weekend as they prepare to face the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday at the Rogers Place at 4:00pm.
-Brynna Doucette
