PLAYOFF GAME DAY: Hurricanes Look to Equalize

Red Deer, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes will look to once again bounce back tonight in Game 4 of their best-of-seven first round series with the Red Deer Rebels.

The Hurricanes, who held a 3-1 lead late in the third period, saw the Rebels storm back and eventually win the game in double overtime. Stuart Skinner was sensational in the Hurricanes crease making 45 saves in the hockey game. Tyler Wong led all ‘Canes scorers in the game with three points (1g-2a) while Zak Zborosky and Brennan Menell scored the other goals.

The Rebels received a terrific performance in net also from Riley Lamb who made 49 saves in the victory. Lane Zablocki scored twice in the game while Brandon Hagel had one as well. Overage forward Evan Polei played overtime hero just 48 seconds into the second overtime frame to lift Red Deer to the victory.

The Rebels lead the best-of-seven series two games to one. The ‘Canes will look to equalize the series before returning to Lethbridge for Game 5 on Saturday night at the ENMAX Centre.

PLAYOFF SERIES: Tonight will be Game 3 of the best-of-seven series between the Hurricanes and the Rebels. The series is tied at one game apiece after the first two games. It’s the first meeting between the Hurricanes and Rebels in the post-season since 2002 and the fifth time all-time.

REGULAR SEASON SERIES: (* if necessary)                              HURRICANE TOP 5 PLAYOFF SCORERS
Game 1 – March 25^th, 7:00pm – at Lethbridge (4-2 RD)             Egor Babenko – 3G. 1A, 4 points
Game 2 – March 26^th, 6:00pm – at Lethbridge (5-2 LH)              Tyler Wong – 2G, 2A – 4 points
Game 3 – March 29^th, 7:00pm – at Red Deer (4-3 OT2 RD)       Jordy Bellerive – 0G, 3A – 3 points
Game 4 – Thu, March 30^th, 7:00pm – at Red Deer                       Brennan Menell – 1G, 2A – 3 points
Game 5 – Sat, April 1^st, 7:00pm – at Lethbridge                           Ryan Vandervlis – 1G, 1A – 2 points
*Game 6 – Sun, April 2^nd, 5:00pm – at Red Deer
*Game 7 – Tue, April 4^th, 7:00pm – at Lethbridge

2016-2017 PLAYOFF STATS LEADERS:
Goals (3) – Egor Babenko                                                 Assists (3) – Jordy Bellerive
Points (3) – Egor Babenko & Jordy Bellerive
PIMS (7) – Zane Franklin                                                   Plus/Minus (+4) – Ryan Vandervlis & Egor Babenko
Wins (1) – Stuart Skinner                                                   Shutouts (0) – N/A
Save % (.914) – Stuart Skinner                                        Goals Against Average (2.52) – Stuart Skinner

1. REBELS, REGULAR SEASON: The Hurricanes and Rebels met six times in the 2016-2017 regular season with the ‘Canes posting a 5-0-1-0 record. The ‘Canes were 12-1-1-0 in their last 14 regular season head-to-head meetings. The lone Red Deer win came December 3^rd at the ENMAX Centrium.

REGULAR SEASON SERIES:                                                          HURRICANE TOP 5 SEASON SCORERS
October 29^th/2016 – at Lethbridge (6-1 Hurricanes)                     Tyler Wong – 51G, 58A – 109 points
December 2^nd/2016 – at Lethbridge (5-3 Hurricanes)                 Giorgio Estephan – 35G, 54A – 89 points
December 3^rd/2016 – at Red Deer (3-2 OT Rebels)                     Zak Zborosky – 41G, 33A – 74 points
January 7^th/2017 – at Lethbridge (3-1 Hurricanes)                       Brennan Menell – 12G, 59A – 71 points
February 1^st/2017 – at Red Deer (3-2 OT Hurricanes)                 Matt Alfaro – 25G, 35A – 60 points
February 8^th/2017 – at Red Deer (7-3 Hurricanes)

2016-2017 REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS:
Goals (51) – Tyler Wong                                                    Assists (59) – Brennan Menell
Points (109) – Tyler Wong
PIMS (103) – Zane Franklin                                              Plus/Minus (+29) – Tyler Wong
Wins (34) – Stuart Skinner                                                 Shutouts (2) – Stuart Skinner
Save % (.906) – Stuart Skinner                                        Goals Against Average (3.26) – Stuart Skinner

2016-2017 REGULAR SEASON LEAGUE LEADERS:
– Tyler Wong was tied 1^st in WHL Goals with 51 & 3^rd in WHL Scoring with 109 points
– Tyler Wong was tied 4^th in WHL PP Goals with 15 & tied 2^nd in WHL Game Winning Goals with 10
– Giorgio Estephan was tied 11^th in WHL Goals with 35 & is tied 9^th in WHL Scoring with 89 points
– Zak Zborosky was 5^th in WHL Goals with 41 & tied 3^rd in WHL Power Play Goals with 16
– Brennan Menell was tied 3^rd in WHL PP Assists with 28 & 2^nd in WHL Defenseman Scoring with 71 points
– Brennan Menell was tied 9^th in WHL Defenseman Goals with 12 & 1^st in WHL Defenseman Assists with 59
– Calen Addison was tied 10^th in WHL Rookie Scoring with 33 points (2^nd among Rookie D-man Scoring)
– Calen Addison was 1^st among 2000-born scorers in the WHL with 33 points
– Stuart Skinner was 2^nd in Games Played (60); 2^nd in WHL Wins with 34 & tied 6^th in WHL Losses with 18
– Stuart Skinner was 2^nd in WHL Minutes by a Goalie (3386) & 2^nd in WHL Shots (1933) & 2^nd Saves (1749)

NEWS & NOTES:
OT2: The Hurricanes and Rebels went to double overtime in Game 3 on Wednesday night. It was the first time that the ‘Canes had played an overtime game in the playoffs since Game 3 of the WHL Final in 2008. It was the first time since April of 1997 that the ‘Canes and Rebels skated in a playoff overtime game.