Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter
(Photo: LNN)

Wormald scores OT winner, Hurricanes beat Rebels 2-1

Sep 23, 2024 | 8:37 AM

RED DEER, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes are 2-0-0 to begin the 2024-25 season.

The day after beating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in their home opener on Friday, September 20, the Hurricanes traveled up to Red Deer on Saturday to face off against the Red Deer Rebels. The game featured a familiar face in Red Deer for the Hurricanes in Trae Wilke, who was traded by the Hurricanes in the offseason.

In the first period, the Rebels got the scoring started quickly with a goal from Matteo Fabrizi. The Rebels finished the first period with a 7-4 lead in shots.

The second period remained lopsided in the shots department, with Red Deer outshooting the Hurricanes 14-3. However, Hurricanes goaltender Koen Cleaver did not waver, stopping all 14 he faced.

Late in the frame, Hayden Pakkala scored his first goal of the year with just over two minutes left, assisted by Logan McCutcheon. The second period saw the penalty sheet fill up, with nine infractions called.

In the third, despite Red Deer once again heavily leading in the shot total, Cleaver continued his excellent game, stopping all 10 shots and sending the game to overtime tied at one.

In the extra frame, on a breakout play, Hurricanes forward Logan Wormald took a pass from Tristen Doyle and evaded two defenders, snapping in a wrist shot from the slot to win the game for the Hurricanes 2-1.

Cleaver was named the first star of the game for his 30 save performance. Carson Birnie and Matthew Gard of the Rebels got second and third star respectively.

The Hurricanes will play next on Friday, September 27, when they host the Swift Current Broncos at 7:00 p.m.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.