Rebels stumble late in road loss at Lethbridge
The Red Deer Rebels let a potential victory slip through their fingers as the Lethbridge Hurricanes scored three times late in the third period for a 5-3 win at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
It’s the first time this season the Rebels have lost a game they led through two periods as they fall to 7-1 in that regard.
HOW IT HAPPENED
An early powerplay helped Red Deer gain a quick lead with Ollie Josephson letting a wrist shot fly through traffic and past Lethbridge’s Brady Smith to make it 1-0 just 1:24 into the game.
Here's our captain's fourth of the year 🚨#RDREBELS | #WHL https://t.co/HTajYyJlUx pic.twitter.com/7j4C8GIMuJ
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 27, 2024
That kicked off a night-long special teams battle, with Lethbridge responding with a powerplay goal of their own through a tip-in from Brayden Edwards to make it 1-1.
Hunter Mayo returned fire less than five minutes later, blasting home his seventh goal of the season on the man advantage, with Mayo’s seven goals on the season leading all WHL defencemen. Red Deer led 2-1 through one.
Mayo makes everything better.
Especially powerplays⬇️#RDREBELS | #WHL https://t.co/W8DGalF1rL pic.twitter.com/MIDIreuQ05
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 27, 2024
A pair of Lethbridge power plays in the second period provided the middle frame’s only two goals – one each way. The first tied things up for Lethbridge off the stick of Leo Braillard, who tipped home his fifth power play goal of the year, before Red Deer regained the lead shorthanded, thanks to Jhett Larson finishing off a rebound after Matthew Gard’s initial scoring chance was denied. Red Deer led 3-2 going into the final frame.
Watch as Larson breaks the tie shorthanded 👇#RDREBELS | #WHL https://t.co/bzvXBz9f8g pic.twitter.com/J7Hgv0uBMh
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 27, 2024
That lead held through more than 15 minutes until Miguel Marques pounced on a turnover and snapped a shot past Chase Wutzke to make it 3-3.
Kash Andersen, left along in front of the Rebels crease, scored two and a half minutes later to give the Hurricanes their first lead. Marques clinched things with an empty net goal with 1:12 left to play.
The win moves Lethbridge (7-3-1-0) even with Red Deer (7-5-1-0) atop the Central Division standings with each team having 15 points and Lethbridge having played two fewer games.
Lethbridge outshot Red Deer 30-26 and was 2-for-5 on the power play while the Rebels were 2-for-4.
WHAT THEY SAID
Postgame comments from head coach Dave Struch…
Coach Struch on tonight’s defeat in Lethbridge #RDREBELS I #WHL pic.twitter.com/69qLAq3Be2
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 27, 2024
NEXT UP
The Rebels take on the Hurricanes again next Saturday, November 2 at the Peavey Mart Centrium at 7 p.m. (TICKETS)
