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Hagel lifts Rebels to 5th straight win with late goal

Nov 23, 2018 | 9:39 PM

The Red Deer Rebels extended their current win streak to five on Friday night with a 3-2 win over Central Division rival Kootenay. 

The victory is Red Deer’s fourth in as many games against the Ice this season, including their last game on Nov. 17, a 5-4 OT win.

Dawson Barteaux got the scoring started in Cranbrook with his 2nd just past the nine minute mark.

Jeff de Wit dug the hole a bit deeper for Kootenay at 14:17 with his 15th to make it 2-0, temporarily taking over from Brandon Hagel for the team lead in goals.

Fifty seconds later, however, Cameron Hausinger scored his 7th to cut the lead to one goal and it was 2-1 after 20 minutes.

Following a scoreless second period, Hausinger, the 19-year-old native of Anchorage, tied the game at 5:46 of the third.

Then, with 50 seconds left in regulation, the Rebels leading points-getter Brandon Hagel notched his 15th to seal the win for Red Deer.

With an assist on Friday as well, Hagel now has 39 points in just 21 games, good enough for sixth best in the entire Western Hockey League.

Ethan Anders, who was named third star, earned his 14th win of the season, having lost just six times, including twice in extra time. He made 27 saves on Friday.

Additionally, Capitals first round draft pick Alexander Alexeyev contributed a pair of helpers to give him 28 points, including 21 assists, in 22 games. That is second best in the WHL.

Up next for the 16-5-1 Rebels, who now lead the Central with four games in hand on second place Edmonton, is a date with Medicine Hat on Saturday back at home. They are also a division best 9-1-0-0 on home ice.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. The broadcast can be heard LIVE beginning at 6:30 on 106.7 The Drive.