Canes get a crucial win to start busy weekend

By Lethbridge Herald on March 15, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Hurricanes Miguel Marques tries to control a loose puck in front of the Red Deer Rebels net during WHL action at the Enmax Centre on Friday night.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Hurricanes started their three games in a  three day stretch with a 5-2 win over the Red Deer Rebels on Friday night at the Enmax Centre.

“It was unbelievable,” said Miguel Marques, on the response after Wednesday’s 6-1 loss.

“It was playoff hockey tonight . Red Deer’s (a) really good, strong team, they play heavy and they have a good style over there. But we came ready to play and we know that we had to bounce back after that Edmonton loss, that was not very good, but we came out and played our game tonight and we took it to them.”

Leo Braillard opened the scoring in the contest when he went down his off wing and wristed it low blocker side on the Rebels Chase Wutzke to give the Canes a 1-0 lead 13:09 into the first period.

Tristen Doyle and Joe Arntsen assisted on Braillard’s 13th of the year.

The Rebels tied the score at one when Kai Uchacz scored his 41st goal of the year on the powerplay with just over three minutes to go in the first.

Jhett Larson and Matt Lindgren picked up the assists.

Landen Ward restored the lead for the Canes with his third of the year 17:48 into the first period from Doyle and Hayden Pakkala.

The 2-1 lead didn’t last long as Red Deer’s Talon Brigley tied the game at two almost at the halfway point of the second period with his 19th of the season from Carson Birnie and Ollie Josephson.

Marques skated down the right wing and shelfed it to give the Canes a 3-2 lead 3:51 into the third period from Braeden Wynne and Pakkala.

Brayden Edwards squeezed in his 29th of the year from Marques and Arntsen 15:44 into the third period to give Lethbridge a 4-2 lead.

Dylan Sydor sealed the win with an empty net goal with 36 seconds left.

The Canes went 0-for-1 and Red Deer went 1-for 3 on the powerplay.

Both teams will battle again tonight in Red Deer.

The Canes will end the weekend in Calgary against the Hitmen on Sunday afternoon.

“Obviously a win’s great tonight because it’s a three (in) three, it’s going to be a tough weekend, we play some good teams,” said Marques.

Lethbridge is tied with Brandon for sixth place with 67 points.