Late power play goal sinks Rebels in loss to Hurricanes
Hurricanes 4 Rebels 1
LETHBRIDGE — An evenly played game between what appeared to be two evenly matched teams came down to one play Friday.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes were the last team standing, cashing in during a late power play, then adding an empty net goal and a very late five-on-three man advantage tally en route to a 4-1 WHL win over the Red Deer Rebels.
“It was a good game of hockey . . . tight checking, goalies were good, special teams were good both ways,” said Rebels head coach Derrick Walser.
However . . .
“We can’t take that penalty. I have to watch it again shortly,” said Walser, referring to a goaltender interference call on Evan Smith at 13:08 of the third period.
Forty seconds later, Trae Wilkie drove to the net and converted a feed from Leo Braillard.
“We missed an assignment and there it is, 2-1,” said Walser.
The goal stood up as the winner, as the ‘Canes added an empty net goal courtesy of Brayden Edwards with three minutes remaining, then got another from Edwards with the hosts enjoying a two-man advantage.
The final score was not particularly indicative of the manner in which the game was played, with each team trading limited scoring chances — particularly through the first 40 minutes — while keeping their opponents honest.
“Both teams had hiccups here and there and both teams were playing with pretty good structure,” said Walser. “We started doing a better job of protecting pucks in the second period and we had some (scoring) chances.
“They also had some chances. It was two pretty evenly matched clubs going at it. All it takes sometimes is the wrong mistake and the wrong play at the wrong time.”
Kalan Lind notched the Rebels’ lone goal during an early power play, cashing a rebound of a point shot by Mats Lindgren a mere 3:29 into the contest viewed by a gathering of 3,587 at the Enmax Centre.
Chase Pauls pulled the ‘Canes even late in the opening period, scoring from the high slot following a turnover inside the Red Deer blueline.
The second period was scoreless, setting the stage for an interesting final frame.
The Rebels, who dropped to 4-3-0-1, are right back at it Saturday, hosting the Saskatoon Blades at the Peavey Mart Centrium (7 p.m.). The Blades are 7-2-0-0 and sit atop the Eastern Conference in terms of winning percentage.
“We’re going to travel back, the boys will get some rest and hopefully they’ll get charged up and we’ll put together a new game plan for Saskatoon tomorrow,” said Walser.
Notable: Hurricanes goaltender Harrison Meneghin made 24 saves and was selected as the game’s first star. The Lethbridge stopper twice robbed Rebels captain Kai Uchacz . . . Kyle Kelsey was also stellar in the Red Deer net, making 23 stops . . . The ‘Canes swept the three star selections, with Braillard, who picked up two assists in his WHL debut, and Edwards getting the second and third nods.
(Photo: Erica Perreaux)
