Rebels Down Hurricanes 6-1

The Red Deer Rebels got back at the Lethbridge Hurricanes Saturday night with a 6-1 victory over the Canes on home ice.

It's the first time in six games this season that the Rebels have been able to record two points against their Central Division rivals. And it also keeps the race for top spot in the Division that much more important and interesting with three games left in the regular season. The Hurricanes on the other hand still have an outside shot at first in the Eastern Conference, however with Brandon having a four point lead, they are certainly in the driver's seat in that regard. The Hurricanes main focus needs to be on Red Deer and locking up first in the Central.

The Rebels opened the scoring in this game. In fact, they had a 6-0 lead before the Hurricanes broke the shut out bid of goaltender Trevor Martin in the second period. Only one goal in the first period. Colton Bobyk scoring, beating Jayden Sittler to make a 1-0 lead for the Rebels after one.

In the second, it was a goal scoring fest. The Rebels made it 2-0 when Jake DeBrusk scored just 1:00 into the period and then just over a minute later, Red Deer struck again, this time Kale Doetzel with the goal giving the home team a 3-0 lead. Five minutes after that the Rebels power play went to work. Adam Helewka beat Sittler making it 4-0. That was it for Sittler. He was pulled in favour of Stuart Skinner for the rest of the night. It didn't take long though for the Rebels to get to him. Less than a minute later Hayden Fleury scored to make it 5-0 and then shortly after another power play goal by Red Deer, this one from Brandon Hagel and the Rebels were in complete control, leading 6-0.

The Hurricanes though finally found the back of the net. Less than a minute after the Rebels 6th goal, Tyler Wong scored his 41st goal of the season to cut the lead to 6-1. But that's as close as the Canes would get in this game. That was four goals between the teams in about 5 minutes.

After a fairly wide open second period, neither team was able to score in the third and Red Deer would cruise on for a 6-1 victory.

The loss dropped the Hurricanes overall record to 45-22-1-1 on the season. Red Deer out shot Lethbridge 29-26.  The Canes top notch power play was shut down in this game, going 0/7 with the man advantage. Red Deer finished the night 2/3.

The Canes are back home Sunday (Mar. 13) as they take on Edmonton. Game time from the ENMAX Centre is 6:00 pm MST. The Oil Kings continue to battle it out with Medicine Hat for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Thanks,
Pat