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Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman Alex Cotton scores the overtime winner for a 2-1 final over the Red Deer Rebels Saturday night.(WHL Live)
2-1 OT

Rebels lose overtime heartbreaker in Lethbridge

Oct 9, 2021 | 10:17 PM

After dropping a 4-2 decision to the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Peavey Mart Centrium Friday night, the Red Deer Rebels suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss to the Hurricanes in Lethbridge Saturday evening.

The Rebels got on the board early when Kalan Lind slid it through the five-hole of Lethbridge goaltender Bryan Thomson just 2:25 into the first period to make it 1-0 for the visitors. Lind’s unassisted goal was his first of the season.

The period ended 1-0 Red Deer, with the Rebels outshooting the Hurricanes 10-8 in the opening frame. Both teams also went 0/2 on the power play.

In the second period, Lethbridge responded with their first goal of the game when Alex Cotton scored from between the hash marks, beating Rebels goalie Connor Ungar on the power play at 13:49 to tie things up at 1-1. The goal was Cotton’s first of the season and came with just seven seconds left with the man advantage following a tripping penalty to Red Deer’s Blake Gustafson. Assists were credited to Chase Pauls and Yegor Klavdiev.

The score remained 1-1 following 40 minutes of play, with Lethbridge outshooting Red Deer 16-9 in the middle frame for a two-period total of 24-19 in favour of the Hurricanes. The Rebels were 0/4 on the power play while Lethbridge was 1/4 at that point.

Despite three penalties aside for both Red Deer and Lethbridge in the third period and one power play each, the scored remained 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. Shots in the third period were 11-8 in favour of Red Deer, but finished 32-30 for Lethbridge.

In overtime, Alex Cotton scored his second goal of the game and second of the season for the Hurricanes at 2:28 of extra time, getting the assist from Justin Hall for the 2-1 overtime winner. Shots were 4-2 Lethbridge in overtime and finished 36-32 for the Hurricanes.

The Rebels went 0/5 on the power play, while Lethbridge went 1/5.

Three Stars:

1. Bryan Thomson – Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender

2. Alex Cotton – Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman

3. Connor Ungar – Red Deer Rebels goaltender

The overtime victory improves the Hurricanes record to 3-1 on the season, while Red Deer falls to 2-3.

The Rebels next game is Friday, Oct. 15 in Calgary against the Hitmen, with the second half of their home and home series in Red Deer Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Face-off is 1 p.m.