Hurricanes Suffer 4-3 Loss to Rebels
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes suffered their third-straight loss to open the season on Friday with a 4-3 defeat to the Red Deer Rebels at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
Lethbridge opened a three-game homestand in their first of eight meetings against Red Deer this season after dropping a pair of games to the Medicine Hat Tigers on Opening Weekend. The game marked the return of former ‘Canes head coach Brent Kisio as bench boss of the Rebels. Red Deer had a great start to the game when Beckett Hamilton – who returned from the Colorado Avalanche – struck just 3:26 into the game with his first goal of the season to make it 1-0; Poul Andersen earned the lone assist on the goal. Lethbridge answered to the tie the game at the 10:54 mark when Owen Berge rifled home his second goal of the year on a power play to tie the game 1-1; Kyle Heger and Logan Stuart picked up the helpers on the goal. Less than two minutes later, the Rebels pulled back in front when Hamilton potted his second of the game on a man advantage to give Red Deer a 2-1 lead. Before the end of the first period, the Hurricanes tied the game with a shorthanded goal by Kai Anderson who shelved a back-hand on a breakaway to make it a 2-2 game after twenty minutes of play. The Hurricanes were outshot 15-5 in the opening period.
Lethbridge started the second period on a high when Dayne Beuker ripped home his second goal of the year – on the power play – just 2:12 into the game to give the Hurricanes their first lead of the season taking a 3-2 advantage; Heger and Stuart earned the assists on the goal. The see-saw game continued when the Rebels drew even with yet another power play goal as Chace Turchak redirected home his first goal in the WHL at the 14:19 mark tying the game 3-3; Andersen and Cole Temple were credited with the assists on the goal. Late in the frame, the Hurricanes had a power play opportunity, but on a turnover Hamilton completed his season debut hat-trick snapping a shot by Oaten to put Red Deer ahead 4-3 with an unassisted goal. The ‘Canes had a five-on-three man advantage immediately after the shorthanded goal against but failed to capitalize and trailed by a goal after two periods of play. Lethbridge held the edge in shots 12-11 over Red Deer in the middle frame.
In the third period, the Rebels outshot the Hurricanes 17-5, but neither team found the net. Red Deer came close to adding to their lead on a back-door chance for Andersen, but Oaten charged across to make an outstanding blocker save to keep it a one-goal game. Lethbridge saw some penalty trouble in the third period and failed to find an equalizer as the Rebels hung on to the 4-3 victory.
The Hurricanes were outshot 43-22 in the contest by the Rebels. Lethbridge went 2/5 on the power play while Red Deer was 2/10 with the extra man.
Three stars of the game were:
1) Rebels – #21 Beckett Hamilton (3 goals)
2) ‘Canes – #21 Logan Stuart (2 assists)
3) ‘Canes – #31 Leif Oaten (39-saves)
The loss for the Hurricanes dropped their record to 0-3-0-0 to open their 40th Anniversary Season while extending their losing streak to 12-straight games dating back to last year. Lethbridge’s record slipped to 0-2-0-0 on home ice so far this year.
Lethbridge will welcome the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday, October 2nd at 7:00pm before hosting the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday, October 3rd at 6:00pm to wrap up their three-game homestand. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre and VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.
