Hurricanes drop thriller to Rebels

Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender Liam Hughes made 21 saves and was named the game’s second star but it wasn’t enough as he was outbattled by Ethan Anders who backstopped the visiting Red Deer Rebels with 34 saves and was named the game’s first star in the 3-1 victory.

In a playoff style game, the Hurricanes and Rebels went back and forth early trading chances. Lethbridge got out to a six to two shots on goal lead before Red Deer enjoyed three straight power plays. Neither team could take advantage of their pressure until very late in the opening frame. Red Deer Rebel Jeff de Witt found the back of the net for his 23rd goal on the season, with just 32.7 seconds to play in the first. Assists on the play awarded to Brandon Hagel and Alexander Alexeyev. The visitors would also lead in shots at a 10-9 margin as the teams headed to their respective locker rooms.

Second period action would be just as fast and furious as the first.

The Hurricanes would get their first power play of the night four minutes into the second, but Anders would stand tall including a remarkable cross crease stop to rob Jordy Bellerive on a one-timer blast.

Not long after the man advantage expired, the Hurricanes would get another glorious chance. Alex Cotton managed to rip a shot by Anders but it rang squarely of the far post.

Lethbridge would finally break through in this back and forth track meet of a middle period when Nick Henry found Bellerive in front of the net and he slid the puck under the Rebels netminders pad while being hauled down. Had he not scored, the Hurricanes would have enjoyed another two minutes or less with the man advantage as the ref had put his hand in the air. The goal was the captain’s 23rd of the season, Nick Henry and Koletrane Wilson picked up the helpers.

There was a strong response from the visitors after giving up the tying goal, as they were rewarded with a couple of power plays late in the period, including a 28 second two-man advantage. Chris Douglas wasted little time for Red Deer scoring his 12th of the year and giving the boys in white another one goal lead. Former Hurricane Josh Tarzwell and Cameron Hausinger would gather the assists on the power-play goal. Shot after two periods would be 23-16 for the home side.

The final frame would again see much of the same playoff style of play. Early saves at both ends would keep this a one-goal game. The Hurricanes would get a big chance on a 37 second two-man advantage but a strong and aggressive penalty kill from the Rebels held them at bay.

Hughes would keep his team in the game, including a game saving stop on a Hagel breakaway with just over two minutes left on the clock.

Head coach Kelly Kisio pulled Hughes not long after for the extra skater, but the move wouldn’t pay off as Red Deer held their line. On a turnover, Hausinger would throw the puck into the empty cage to seal the game at 3-1. Resse Johnson and Brandon Hagel would get the helpers on Hausinger’s 15th marker of the season. Final shots would be 35-24 Hurricanes.

Shooting the breeze: Jordy Bellerive played in his 250th WHL game, congratulations to the Hurricanes captain. Bradon Hagel continued to be a pain for Lethbridge, he was named the game’s third star for his strong game that included two assists. Power plays were a big part of the night with the Hurricanes going 0-for-4 and Rebels 1-for-6. Lethbridge has now dropped three of their last four games, all against divisional foes. They will look at getting back on track when these two teams meet up again Saturday in Red Deer. The Rebels now sit second in the central just a point behind Edmonton but have four, yes four games in hand. The Hurricanes sit a point behind Red Deer who also have two games in hand on the Hurricanes, meaning the Rebels have the inside track in a tight divisional race.