Hurricanes Stun Rebels 2-1 in Overtime
Red Deer, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes played their first road game of the 2024-2025 season on Saturday as they earned an unlikely 2-1 overtime win over the Red Deer Rebels at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
The game was Red Deer’s home opener as they held their player introductions. Rebels came out flying in the opening five minutes and jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Matteo Fabrizi potted his first goal of the season on a centering pass from Carson Birne; Samuel Drancak earned the second assist on the goal. The Hurricanes had the lone power play opportunity in the first period when Cohen Poulin was assessed a playing without a helmet penalty. Lethbridge was unable to get set up and did not muster a shot with the extra man as they trailed 1-0 after one period. Red Deer held the edge in shots 7-4 in the opening frame.
Lethbridge had a glorious opportunity early in the second period to pull even when Luke Cozens was sprung on a breakaway, but he was stopped by goaltender Rhett Stoesser to keep it a 1-0 Red Deer lead. Rebels carried most of the play during the period outshooting the Hurricanes 13-3 but they couldn’t solve Koen Cleaver, who made his first start of the season. A great chance for the Rebels to double their lead came on a power play with a loose puck in front before being cleared off the crease. Lethbridge tied the game late in the period when Hayden Pakkala wired a wrist shot over the glove of the Rebels netminder to tie the game 1-1; Logan McCutcheon earned the lone assist on the goal as the game was even after two periods.
In the third period, the teams traded chances and power play opportunities, but neither team could find the net. Lethbridge was outshot 10-4 in the final frame. Red Deer had a late man advantage in the final two minutes, but Cleaver was again terrific as the ‘Canes were able to kill off the penalty to force overtime tied 1-1.
In overtime, the Hurricanes and Rebels traded chances with Red Deer coming close to end the game. Lethbridge would prevail when Logan Wormald stepped over the line and ripped home his third career overtime winner at the 2:51 mark to give the ‘Canes a 2-1 victor; Tristen Doyle earned the lone assist on the OT winner.
The Hurricanes were outshot 31-14 in the contest. Lethbridge went 0/4 on the power play while going 3/3 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #30 Koen Cleaver (30-saves, first WHL victory)
2) Rebels – #15 Carson Birnie (1 assist)
3) Rebels – #9 Matthew Gard
The win for the Hurricanes improved their record to 2-0-0-0 on the young season. Lethbridge has started the season 1-0-0-0 at home and 1-0-0-0 on the road. The ‘Canes improved to 40-14-4-1 in their last 59 regular season games against the Rebels dating back to 2015.
Lethbridge will return to the VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Friday, September 27th at 7:00pm when they welcome the Swift Current Broncos. Tickets for the home opener can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre or VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.
