Hurricanes Edge Rebels 4-3 in Overtime to End ENMAX Pre-Season
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes ended the 2023 ENMAX Pre-Season schedule on Saturday with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Red Deer Rebels at the ENMAX Centre.
It was the second of the ‘Canes two pre-season home games which saw them face the Rebels for the first-and-only time in the tune up schedule. Koen Cleaver made his first start of the pre-season. Red Deer jumped out to an early lead as just 1:52 into the game Evan Smith potted a rebound to make it 1-0 Rebel lead; Kai Uchacz earned the lone assist on the goal. Lethbridge answered late in the period with 2:08 remaining when Kooper Gizowski fired home his second of the exhibition season to draw the game even 2-2; Anton Astashevich earned the lone assist on the goal as the game was tied after one period. The Hurricanes, who were outshot 5-1 in the first six minutes, outshot the Rebels 12-8 in the first period.
Early in the second period, the Hurricanes were given a five-minute power play as the Rebels Levi Green was assessed a game-misconduct of charging. On the ensuing power play, the ‘Canes took their first lead as Trae Wilke rifled home his first goal of the pre-season at the 5:32 mark to make it 2-1 Lethbridge; Elias Knoester and Blake Swetlikoff were credited with the assists. Red Deer tied the game 2-2 just over four-minutes later as Zane Saab redirected an Elias Carmichael point shot passed Cleaver; Brady Smith entered after the equal goal for the Hurricanes. Just two-and-a-half minutes later, the Hurricanes pulled back in front when Miguel Marques tapped home a centering pass from Astashevich to put Lethbridge in front 3-2; Gizowski earned the second assist. Lethbridge was outshot 13-8 in the middle frame.
Red Deer – who failed to capitalize on a lengthy five-on-three late in the second period – started the third period on a power play but were unable to find an equalizer. After a pair of power play opportunities for the Hurricanes in which they were unable to build on their lead, the Rebels would tie the game with 4:12 left as Saab netted his second of the game to make it a 3-3 game. Neither team was able to find a go-ahead goal before the end of regulation, as the game went to overtime.
The Hurricanes had a great chance to end the game on the first shift of overtime when Logan Wormald was sprung free to the net, but Rebels goaltender Kyle Kelsey made a good save. The ‘Canes did solve Kelsey at the 59-second mark as Marques potted his second goal of the game – and fourth of the pre-season – to give the Hurricanes their second-straight overtime win; Tristen Doyle and Gizowski earned the assists on the game-winning goal as the ‘Canes took it 4-3.
Lethbridge was outshot 29-25 in the contest. The ‘Canes went 1/5 on the power play while going 4/4 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) LET – #14 Miguel Marques (2 goals, 1 assist)
2) LET – #12 Kooper Gizowski (1 goal, 2 assists)
3) LET – #10 Anton Astashevich (2 assists)
The Hurricanes ended the 2023 ENMAX Pre-Season schedule with a 2-2-0-0 record. The ‘Canes went 1-1-0-0 in their two home exhibition games and 1-1-0-0 on the road.
Lethbridge will open the 2023 regular season on Friday, September 22nd when they welcome the Swift Current Broncos at the ENMAX Centre in the Dairy Queen Home Opener. Tickets are available for purchase by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.enmaxcentre.ca.
