By Troy Gillard – rdnewsNOW.com @Troy_Gillard on Twitter

Rebels take 2-1 series lead in double OT win over Lethbridge in Red Deer

Mar 29, 2017 | 11:42 PM

RED DEER – Evan Polei scored 48 seconds into double overtime, giving the Red Deer Rebels a 4-3 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday.

The Rebels now lead the best-of-seven first round WHL playoff series 2-1.

Lane Zablocki ignited the home crowd early when he ripped home his second goal, and the Rebels’ fifth power play tally, of the series 8:51 into the opening stanza.

Lethbridge’s power play, which came into the game 0/12 through two games, finally broke through when Tyler Wong beat Riley Lamb for his second goal of the series at the 8:51 mark.

While both teams traded scoring chances throughout the second period, the game’s next goal wouldn’t come until just 1:03 was left in the frame. Capping off a wild sequence that started when Michael Spacek’s stick snapped on a shot attempt, Brennan Menell gave Lethbridge their first lead of the night with his first goal of the series, 2-1.

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Lethbridge took a two goal lead 3:10 into period three. With a delayed penalty coming to Red Deer, Zak Zborosky netted his first goal of the playoffs, putting the Hurricanes up 3-1.

After coming up empty on back to back power plays, Brandon Hagel shoveled home his second goal of the series with 3:07 remaining while the Rebels were on yet another man advantage. The goal pulled Red Deer within 3-2, setting the stage for a tense finish.

With the clock winding down, Zablocki beat Lethbridge goalie Stuart Skinner with just 19.6 seconds left, tying the game 3-3 and sending it to overtime.

Despite both teams earning really, really good scoring chances, one overtime period would not be enough to decide this one.

Polei wasted little time in ending the game early into the second extra frame, beating Skinner 48 seconds in to give the Rebels the win.

The Canes outshot Red Deer 52-49 in front of a crowd of 5017. The Rebels were 2/5 on the power play while the Hurricanes were 1/2.

There’s little time for rest as game four of the series goes Thursday night in Red Deer.