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Rebels road trip ends with 6-4 loss in Calgary

Feb 21, 2018 | 8:42 PM

In their final of six straight games away from home, the Red Deer Rebels dropped a 6-4 decision to the Calgary Hitmen in a wildly entertaining tilt Wednesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Mason McCarty opened the scoring for Red Deer 5:07 into the first period.

Calgary replied with three straight from Jacob Stukel, Tristen Nielsen and Red Deer native Luke Coleman for a 3-1 lead, chasing Riley Lamb, the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Week, from the Rebels net. Ethan Anders took over midway through the second period.

The move sparked the Rebels to back-to-back goals late in the second period from Brandon Hagel and McCarty, his second of the game and team leading 33rd of the season.

Kristian Reichel gave the Rebels a brief lead 32 seconds into the third period. Jake Kryski tied it 4-4 for Calgary just 92 seconds later.

Vladislav Yeryomenko scored the eventual game winning goal 9:42 into the final frame. Riley Stotts sealed the deal with an empty net goal with 1:01 remaining.

Calgary outshot Red Deer 38-27 and was 0/2 on the power play. The Rebels were 0/1 on the power play.

Nick Schneider picked up the win in net for Calgary while Anders was the goalie of record for Red Deer. 

Red Deer remains two points ahead of the Kootenay Ice for third place in the WHL Central Division and hold one game in hand.

The Rebels return home for their first game at the Enmax Centrium in nearly two weeks Friday versus the Prince Albert Raiders (7 p.m. on 106.7 The Drive).