Hurricanes Force Seventh Game
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes played another must-win game on Sunday evening in Red Deer in Game 6 against the Rebels trailing three games to two in the best-of-seven series and the ‘Canes were able to earn a 4-1 victory to force a seventh-and-deciding game on Tuesday.
The Hurricanes came out strong in the opening ten minutes as they controlled the territory battle but failed to get many shots on Riley Lamb early in the game. The Rebels picked up their game midway through the first period as the paced continued to grow in was another elimination game. The Rebels jumped out to the lead as Michael Spacek scored his fourth of the series at the 19:04 mark putting Red Deer ahead 1-0 after twenty minutes of play. Red Deer held the edge in shots 15-8.
The Hurricanes were the much better team in the second period outshooting the Rebels 14-11. The ‘Canes had some good early chances to tie the game but couldn’t solve Lamb. The ‘Canes finally broke through to tie the game at the 13:51 mark as Ryan Vandervlis beat Lamb over the glove for this second of the series tying the game at 1-1 – Egor Babenko and Brennan Riddle picked up the helpers. The ‘Canes forged ahead as Alec Baer scored his second in as many games as he buried a cross-ice pass from Babenko to give the ‘Canes a 2-1 lead after two periods – Giorgio Estephan earned the second assist.
Early in the third period, ‘Canes Captain Tyler Wong scored 23 seconds in sniping on the power play to give Lethbridge come breathing room – Brennan Menell and Zak Zborosky were given the assists on Wong’s team-leading fifth of the post-season. The Rebels’ Evan Polei was handed a five-minute major for checking-to-the-head on Tanner Nagel resulting in a lengthy power play. The ‘Canes failed to score on the five-minute man advantage. Rebels pulled the netminder late in hopes of stirring on an attack but Jadon Joseph iced the game with an empty net goal giving the Hurricanes a 4-1 victory.
The Hurricanes outshot the Rebels 13-8 in the third period and 35-34 in the game. Lethbridge was 1/5 on the power play while Red Deer was 0/2.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #5 Tyler Wong – 1 goal
2) ‘Canes – #21 Ryan Vandervlis – 1 goal
3) Rebels – #23 Michael Spacek – 1 goal
The Hurricanes now prepare for a winner-take-all Game 7 on home ice on Tuesday at 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre or Yates Ticket Centre’s.
(Photo Credit: Rob Wallator)
