By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Hurricanes take first round in 5 games, with 6-4 decision over the Rebels

Mar 31, 2018 | 10:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The fifth game in the Canes versus Rebels playoff series was heavy on action and saw a penalty-filled first period.

The Canes had the first penalty of the night, with Matthew Stanley cited for cross-checking, just three minutes in. But, the home team also planted the first goal of the night at 7:09, courtesy of Brad Morrison.

 It didn’t take Red Deer long to respond, as a minute and a half later, Grayson Pawlenchuk tied the game 1-1.

Add 30 seconds to the penalty riddled period and the whistle blew on a major interference call and game misconduct against the Canes’ Zane Franklin. The five-minute major was served by Keltie Jeri-Leon.

The Canes got some help from a succession of Red Deer penalties, but the visitors’ Brandon Hagel got one past Logan Flodell at 14:00, putting the Rebels ahead 2-1. The tables turned two minutes later, as Jordy Bellerive took advantage of a powerplay, assisted by Calen Addison and Brad Morrison. The game is tied 2-2, which is where the score remained at the end of the period. 

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Both teams had 14 shots-on-goal for the first 20-minutes, but the Canes led in penalty minutes.

The second frame picked up where the last one ended in terms of penalty action. Logan Barlage got it started with a minor for tripping at 2:30 which opened the door for Red Deer’s next powerplay goal, putting the Rebels ahead 3-2.  

After 40 minutes of action, the Canes were leading shots-on-goal 32-16.

The third period opened with a recharged Canes’ crew focused on the opponent’s net. At 3:17, Calen Addison tied the game 3-3, assisted by Jake Elmer and Brad Morrison.  Just over a minute later,  Taylor Ross put the Canes ahead 4-3, with help from Igor Merezhko and Tate Olson.

Fighting back, Red Deer tied the game 4-4 at 6:24, but the Canes moved forward again just a minute later. Taylor Ross racked-up his second of the game, assisted by Jordy Bellerive and Dylan Cozens.

The game stood 5-4 for the Canes until a minute and a half remaining, when Brad Morrison got a shot on the Rebels’ empty net, putting the final score at 6-4 for the Hurricanes, who take their first round series in five games.

The action packed game saw the Canes lead shots-on-goal 50 to 24.