With World Down Syndrome Day coming up March 21, the Red Deer Rebels wore mismatched socks on Saturday night against the Lethbridge Hurricanes in honour of long-time dressing room attendant and Rebels legend Mikel McIver. (Red Deer Rebels)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

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The season series between the Red Deer Rebels and Lethbridge Hurricanes ended Saturday night with a 3-2 OT win for the visitors.

The result comes just a night after the Canes beat the Rebels 5-2 on the former’s home ice.

The season series ends like this: Red Deer (2-2-1-1); Lethbridge (4-2-0-0).

Also with the win, Lethbridge clinches a playoff spot, though all teams are still fighting for final positioning with just a few games to go, and one playoff spot still up for grabs.

Around the Eastern Conference, Brandon beat Prince Albert and also clinched a playoff spot. Swift Current could’ve clinched the Central Division title if they’d beaten Med Hat, but they lost to the Tigers in regulation.

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Eastern Conference standings

1-xy-Saskatoon – 99 points (3 GR)
2-x-Swift Current – 80 points (4 GR) – Central
3-x-Moose Jaw – 85 points (3 GR)
4-x-Medicine Hat – 79 points (2 GR) – Central
5-x-Red Deer Rebels – 75 points (3 GR) – Central
6-x-Brandon Wheat Kings – 71 points (2 GR)
7-x-Lethbridge Hurricanes – 69 points (3 GR) – Central
8-Prince Albert Raiders – 65 points (3 GR)
9-Calgary Hitmen – 60 points (4 GR) – Central
*x-clinched playoff spot
**y-clinched division

Scoring summary

The opening period was scoreless on Saturday, with both teams squandering a power play opportunity.

It was 7:22 into the second when Red Deer broke the ice, Samuel Drancak (11th) making it 1-0.

Just 1:22 later, Will Sharpe (4th) equalized for Lethbridge.

But Matthew Gard (7th) restored the Rebels’ lead at 12:23, and it as 2-1 Red Deer after 40 minutes.

In the third, the Rebels hung on until late, only to give up one up to Miguel Marques (28th) with 1:55 on the clock — and this one was headed to overtime.

In OT, Noah Chadwick (12th) locked in a playoff berth for the Hurricanes 2:35 in.

Final score (in overtime): 3-2 Lethbridge.

Rebels netminder Rhett Stoesser (12-11-1-3) made 30 saves in the loss.

Shots

LET: 33

RD: 33

Power play

LET: 0/3

RD: 0/2

Three stars

1st: Noah Chadwick (LET) – 1 goal (game-winner), 1 assist

2nd: Brady Smith (LET) – 31 saves

3rd: Derek Thurston (RD) – 1 assist

The remainder of the Rebels’ schedule is as follows:

• Wed., March 20 @ Swift Current – 7 p.m. (broadcast on 106.7 REWIND Radio at 6:50)
• Sat., March 23 vs. Edmonton – 7 p.m. (broadcast on 106.7 REWIND Radio at 6:30)
• Sun., March 24 @ Edmonton – 4 p.m. (broadcast on 106.7 REWIND Radio at 3:50)

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