Rebels take 1-0 series lead in Jekyll and Hyde performance by Hurricanes

Not long after though, things would start to turn.

The Rebels noticeably increased their physicality in the second, creating a number of turnovers and leading to a one-sided shot advantage of 16-7 in the frame.

With just over a minute left in the second and the Hurricanes close to escaping the period unscathed, Red Deer’s Michael Spacek stripped the puck from Jordy Bellerive – with a slash that sent the Lethbridge forward’s stick flying – before racing down the ice and firing the puck past a sprawling Stuart Skinner.

That momentum carried into the third, as Cameron Hausinger converted on a Hurricanes’ turnover and evened the score at 2-2, just 1:55 in.

While the period would level out – thanks in large part to a dominant shift by Lethbridge’s fourth line of Jadon Joseph, Zane Franklin and Tanner Nagel – the game would ultimately be decided by special-teams.

Twice in the third, the Hurricanes went on the man-advantage, but struggled to register a shot-on-net, as the Red Deer penalty killers did an excellent job of clogging up the shooting lanes and blocking a number of shots. It would be part of a night that saw the ‘Canes go 0-6 on the power-play.

Then, with just over two minutes to play in the game, Bellerive took a double-minor for high-sticking. Red Deer would only need 11 seconds to capitalize, and added another into the empty net to ice the victory.

Following the game, Lethbridge head coach Brent Kisio cited turnovers and the difference in special-teams as contributing factors in the loss.

“[The Rebels] took some penalties and we couldn’t capitalize on our power-play,” stated Kisio. “Our power-play’s got to be better, unfortunately it wasn’t tonight, and we took a couple undisciplined penalties that they took advantage of.

“Special teams came onto big play tonight, I mean we got to score on our chances and execute better. We got to put more pucks on net and get more traffic in front,” he added.

Kisio did take a moment to look at the positives, bringing up the play of his fourth line and acknowledging that they’re only one game behind.

“We just got to reset, this game’s over, we’ll get refocused, we’ll make the adjustments we have to make and be ready for tomorrow,” Kisio concluded.

Discussing the play of his team, Red Deer bench-boss Brent Sutter said it looked like their youth played a part early, as nerves seemed to get the better of them. After Spacek’s goal though, he said the entire group seemed to relax and get their feet moving. He also noted that their physical play had something to do with the turn-around.

“There’s a certain way that we have to play, and we’re not a team that’s strictly based on finesse,” explained Sutter. “We got some guys out of our line-up that certainly add skill to our team, but they’re not with us, so everyone else has to have a role, and they have to play to that role to the best of their ability, and part of that is finishing checks and part of it is being responsible with and without the puck and making sure we defend the right way.”

Neither team will have long to think about the exchange, as game two in the best of seven series is set for Sunday night (Mar. 26) in Lethbridge.

by Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Rebels take 1-0 series lead in Jekyll and Hyde performance by Hurricanes

What's Happening