Two teams finishing three games in three days and after both teams made a big splash on the trade market setting the stage for this mammoth divisional showdown. The Lethbridge Hurricanes get a Hat-trick from Taylor Ross to help pace them to a 5-4 overtime win Sunday night at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge over the visiting Red Deer Rebels. Rookie netminder Carl Tetachuk added 28 saves for his fifth win of the season. Former Hurricane Brett Davis netted a pair in a losing cause, in his second game with the Rebels.
The first period seemed to be a bit of a feeling out process before the Hurricanes broke the ice at the 7:06 mark of the period Taylor Ross potted home his 14th of the season from Danilka Pavilko and Dylan Cozens, giving the home side the 1-0 lead. Both teams traded chances which included some big saves from Red Deer backstop Ethan Anders. The period ended with some disappointment for the visitors as with 7.2 seconds left on the clock Ross found the back of the net for his second of the game to double the Hurricanes lead. Assists were credited to Calen Addison and newcomer Nick Henry. Shots after 20 were 16-13 for the Canes.
The middle frame got off to a bang as the two teams showed a bit of hate. A couple of scrums and a couple of fights ensued. Nolan Jones and Jackson Shepard of the Canes along with Dallon Melin and Ethan Sakowich from Red Deer received majors for fighting and a minor. The Rebels seemed to get a boost off the physical play as they quickly got on the board. Chris Douglas scored his ninth of the season right after the Canes killed off a penalty to captian Jordy Bellerive. Newly acquired Brett Davis and Dawson Barteux nabbed the helpers. The period picked up after that as the whistle seemed to be put away and the pace quickened but the period would end at the 2-1 score and shoots favoured the Canes 10-8 in the period and 26-21 overall.
With 20 minutes to play the Rebels didn’t waste much time in tying the game up. Just five minutes in Zak Smith got his seventh of the season, unassisted. The Hurricanes got a chance to gain the lead back but a season-long problem showed up again. Another shorthanded goal against. Rebels forward Brett Davis walked around three ‘Canes players to tuck it in and give the visitors a 3-2 lead at 11:35. Lethbridge regrouped to tie the game at 3-3 on a beautiful shot from standout Dylan Cozens. He buried his 14th of the season off a beauty pass from Zach Cox with 2.26 to play. Hurricanes kept the pressure on and it would pay off just over a minute later Taylor Ross completed the hat-trick. The goal was reviewed and confirmed, giving Ross his 16th of the season. But the Rebels were not going to go away. Just 18 second to play and with the goalie pulled they evened the game at 4-4 off Brett Davis’ second of the game. Brandon Hagel had the set up sending this game into overtime.
The Hurricanes did not waste any time in the extra frame as Nolan Jones blasted home just his second of the season from Jordy Bellerive. Lethbridge finished the weekend sweep with the 5-4 win. The Rebels finished their three in three with just the one win but three points. Final shoots were 41-32 Lethbridge.
Shooting the breeze: 3189 in attendance to watch this central division matchup. Anders finished with 36 saves while Tetachuk stopped 28 in the win. Three Stars: 1 Taylor Ross (Leth) with a Hattrick, 2. Brett Davis (RD) Two Goals and one assist, 3. Dylan Cozens with a goal and an assist.
With the win Lethbridge improves to 14-8-3-2 good for second in the division at 33 points, pulling within three points of Red Deer who move to 17-9-2-0 for 36 points.
Next up for the Hurricanes is Wednesday in Kootenay vs the Ice, While the Rebels are off until Friday when they will welcome the Regina Pats to Red Deer
