Rebels scored five unanswered goals to down Canes

By Lethbridge Herald on December 3, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes Nathan Maloney attempts to force Talon Brigley of the Red Deer Rebels to the outside during WHL action at VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Wednesday night.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes scored first but gave up five unanswered goals in a 5-1 loss to the  Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday night at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

Canes assistant coach Ryan Aasman thought the older forwards did not have a lot of compete.

“Really light on pucks (and) we were super reachy,” said Aasman to Dustin Forbes of 106.7 Rock.

“Kudos to Red Deer, they came out and played their game, which is physical, and got a lot out of their depth lines.”

The Canes were without the services of defencemen Matteo Fabrizi, who was serving his one-game suspension for a cross-checking major from last game, and Carsen Adair due to an illness.

“Obviously huge,” said Aasman, on the impact.

“I thought we would step up and defend harder because we had to carry the load and we had a lot of shy guys back there for sure and (it) wasn’t a very good effort.”

Easton Daneault opened the scoring on the powerplay 4:03 into the game  to give the Hurricanes an early 1-0 lead.

Brayden Smith and Kai Anderson notched the assists on Daneault’s third goal of the year.

A quick shot by  the Rebels Kohen Lodge off a face win tied the game 1-1 seven minutes into the first period.

Matej Mikes assisted on the goal with his face-off win.

Red Deer took their first lead of the game when Mikes redirected in a pass in front of the net to give his team a 2-1 lead.

Keith McInnis and Nate Yellowaga assisted on Mikes first goal of the year.

Owen Chadrick skated down his off wing and snapped it passed Koen Cleaver to give the Rebels a 3-1 lead with 46 seconds left in the first period.

Samuel Drancek gave the Rebels a 4-1 lead 4:29 into the second period when he walked in from the blueline and ripped  the puck off the bar into the net.

Beckett Hamilton and Talon Brigley assisted on Drancek’s goal.

Chadrick jammed in a rebound for his second of the night from Noah Milford and Jake Missura 4:36 into the third period to give Red Deer a 5-1 lead.

Red Deer outshot Lethbridge 34-20.

Both teams had a powerplay goal each in the game.

The Hurricanes (9-18-0-1) host the Wenatchee  (9-13-1-1) for the annual Teddy and Toque Toss game on Friday night.