Rebels blow 3-1 lead, fall 4-3 in OT to Hurricanes
Red Deer dropped its third straight game despite a strong first period, though the loss still earned the club a standings point.
The Red Deer Rebels lost 4-3 in overtime to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday at the Centrium in front of 3,513 fans, marking their third consecutive defeat. Head coach Brent Kisio said the team did not play well and that Lethbridge controlled much of the game on Red Deer's home ice.
The Rebels fell behind early when a defensive turnover led to a Dayne Beuker goal just 90 seconds in, but responded with three unanswered goals before the first intermission from rookie Jake Banicevic (two) and Grayden Peterson. Lethbridge clawed back with two power-play goals from Gavin Lesiuk, tying the game late in the third period after Patrick Sopiarz was sent off for elbowing.
Beuker scored the overtime winner, which the Rebels unsuccessfully challenged for offside. Goaltender Matthew Kondro made 34 saves for Red Deer, while Lethbridge's Koen Cleaver stopped 17 shots in relief of Leif Oaten, who was pulled after allowing three goals on eight shots.
Despite the loss, the Rebels earned a point and remain atop the WHL Central Division with a 7-4-1-1 record. Kisio said complacency has crept into the group and they need to refocus. Red Deer hosts the Saskatoon Blades on Tuesday and the Calgary Hitmen on Friday before traveling to face the Edmonton Oil Kings on Nov. 1.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.