Hurricanes Fall 3-2 in OT to Rebels
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes had their two-game winning streak snapped on Friday with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Deer Rebels at the ENMAX Centre.
Hurricanes first round selection Miguel Marques, who was taken 10th overall on Thursday, made his WHL debut flying into Lethbridge for the game and had two great scoring chances in the first period on rushes down the wing but couldn’t bury for his first WHL goal. Red Deer opened the scoring 6:26 into the game when Arshdeep Bains banged home a loose puck on a power play to make it 1-0 Red Deer. The ‘Canes equalized at the 13:07 mark when Noah Boyko ripped home his ninth of the season to make it 1-1; Chase Wheatcroft and Alex Thacker earned the assists on the goal. Just over four minutes later, Thacker scored his fifth of the season on a beautiful one-on-one rush before shelfing a back-hand past Connor Ungar to make it 2-1 Lethbridge after twenty minutes. Red Deer outshot Lethbridge 18-8 in the first period.
In the second period, the Hurricanes outshot the Rebels 11-5 but it was Red Deer that scored the lone goal. Dallon Melin buried his first goal of the season at the 9:21 mark as Blake Gustafson fed him back-door for a tap-in to make it 2-2. The ‘Canes had a glorious opportunity to go back in front on a partial two-on-one but Ungar slid across to rob Logan Wormald of a go-ahead goal as the game was tied after two periods.
Marques continued his strong play in the third period as he had a third great opportunity down the left-wing but once again was stopped by Ungar before he was stopped on a shot off a faceoff moments later. Red Deer had a trio of late power play opportunities, but the Hurricanes penalty kill was perfect forcing overtime. Despite the three penalty kills, the ‘Canes outshot the Rebels in the third period 12-11.
In the overtime, the Rebels outshot the ‘Canes 5-1 and would get the game-winning goal with 11.3 seconds left when Kalan Lind beat Bryan Thomson over the glove to give Red Deer the victory.
Final shots favoured the Rebels 39-30 in the game. Lethbridge was 0/3 with the power play and 5/6 on the penalty kill.
Three stars of the game were:
1) ‘Canes – #20 Alex Thacker (1 goal, 1 assist)
2) ‘Canes – #30 Bryan Thomson (37-saves)
3) ‘Canes – #14 Miguel Marques
The loss for the Hurricanes ended a two-game losing streak as they fall to 2-2 this year in overtime and 10-11-2-0 on the season. Lethbridge is now 7-4-2-0 at the ENMAX Centre this year.
The ‘Canes welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers to the ENMAX Centre on Friday, December 17th in the first of a home-and-home set before the Christmas break. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre, the Yates Memorial Theatre Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.
