The latest chapter in the longstanding rivalry between the Red Deer Rebels and Lethbridge Hurricanes unfolded Wednesday night at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena, with the Rebels prevailing in a hard-fought 4-3 victory. The game showcased gritty effort and timely scoring. Matej Mikes, Nate Yellowaga, Poul Andersen, and Cameron Kuzma supplied the offense for Red Deer, while goaltender Matthew Kondro stood tall with 22 saves to secure the win. The victory marked the Rebels’ fourth in their last five games and second straight, improving their record to 14-21-2-2 on the season. It also held milestone significance, as captain Talon Brigley skated in his 301st career game with the team, tying the franchise record held by Jonathan Zukiwsky. After overcoming a slow start, the Rebels found their rhythm in the second period, capitalizing on two power-play goals while outshooting the Hurricanes 37-25 in a full-team effort. For Lethbridge, the loss extended their skid to five straight, highlighting the ongoing challenges for both struggling Central Division rivals.
Shots on goal in the scoreless first period were 7-6 for the Hurricanes. The Weiner Dog races at intermission were funny to watch. Funny as the dogs roamed around sniffing each other instead of racing. One of the better intermission shows I have seen at a hockey game.
Hurricanes score on the Power Play to make it a 1-0 game just 32 seconds in with Easton Daneault scoring his 7th goal of the season. The assists on the goal went to former Kelowna Rocket Kayden Longley and Kyle Heger who recently joined the Hurricanes from Medicine Hat in a trade for veteran Luke Cozens.–The Hurricanes opened the second period on a power play after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was issued to Jiri Kamas at the end of the first period for shooting a puck on goal after the buzzer. Lethbridge struck in the opening minute on the power play when Easton Daneault tucked home his seventh goal of the season to make it 1-0; Kayden Longley and Kyle Heger earned the assists on the goal which gave the Hurricanes their first lead in a game since December 28th
Matej Mikes ties the game up on a beautiful tip one timer at 3:11 of the second period from a beautiful pass from fellow Euro Matus Lisy. The other assist went to Landon MacSwain.–Red Deer pulled even less than three minutes later when Matej Mikes redirected home his fifth of the year to tie the game 3:11 into the period.
Nate Yellowaga scores on a point shot on the Power Play at 13:35 of the second period with the assist on the goal going to Cameron Kuzma and Matus Lisy.*This goal may of been tipped by Landon MacSwain. Website credits Yellowaga for the goal.
3-1 Red Deer at 16:19 of the second period while on the Power Play with Poul Andersen scoring his 14th goal of the season. The helpers on the goal went to recently acquired Tyson Yaremko and Beckett Hamilton,–Red Deer added another power play tally with 3:41 left in the period as Poul Andersen had a puck deflect off his shoulder and into the net to make it a 3-1 Rebels lead
Shots on goal in the second period were 21-8 for the Rebels
Hurricanes got within one to make it 3-2 when Winnipeg native Tyden Lafournaise scored at 9:07 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to former Moose Jaw Warrior Owen Berge and Okotoks, Alberta native Grady Pichette.
Cameron Kuzma then makes it a 4-2 game for the Rebels at 10:20 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Poul Andersen and Kalder Varga
Lethbridge gets within one again on the Power Play at 18:26 of the third period when former Okotoks Oiler Kade Duell scores. The assist went to Easton Daneault.
Shots on goal in the third period were 10 each. The Rebels outshot the Hurricanes 37-25 in the game.
Matthew Kondro made 22 saves on the 25 shots that he faced for the win for the Rebels. For the Hurricanes Koen Cleaver stopped 33 of the 37 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Poul Andersen 2) Matus Lisy 3) Koen Cleaver
Attendance in Lethbridge was 3013
Rebels next game is Friday January 16th in Red Deer against the Tri City Americans
