By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Rebels tie Canes late, falter in overtime

Dec 2, 2018 | 8:27 PM

Two teams who made statements this week with blockbuster trades did battle Sunday night.

In the end, the Lethbridge Hurricanes knocked off their Central Division rival Red Deer 5-4 in overtime. For the Rebels, it was their second loss of three games in three nights, and also their fifth loss in their last six games.

The Rebels got behind the proverbial eight ball early, allowing forward Taylor Ross to score twice in the opening period, first at 7:06, then again with just seven seconds left.

The goals were Ross’s 14th and 15th of the season – the latter coming on the powerplay – and it was 2-0 Canes after one period of play.

Red Deer fought back, however.

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In the second period, the lone goal came from Chris Douglas, his 9th, and third goal in as many games. On the goal, Brett Davis, who debuted for the Rebels on Saturday following the previous day’s trade, got his first point in Red Deer colours.

In the third is where the game opened up, Red Deer’s Zak Smith scoring his 7th, and second in as many nights to tie the game at 2-2 just five minutes in.

The aforementioned Davis would then put the Rebels ahead with his first goal for Red Deer, and 8th of the season. That tally came short-handed at 11:35.

Red Deer remained ahead by one until there was 2:26 remaining in regulation, which is when Dylan Cozens scored his 14th to tie things up.

Just 1:09 later, Taylor Ross completed the hat trick, and it appeared that with 77 seconds to go, Red Deer had choked away valuable points.

Behold Brett Davis, who got his second of the night and as a Rebel, as well as his 9th of the season, to equalize once again with just 18 seconds left in the game.

Unfortunately for Red Deer, overtime wasn’t kind.

At the 1:50 mark, Nolan Jones sealed the deal for Lethbridge with his 2nd of the season, and the Hurricanes skated away with a 5-4 OT victory.

The loss was just Red Deer’s second in overtime this season. They are yet to lose a game in the shootout.

With the win, Lethbridge leapfrogs Edmonton for second in the division. They each have 14 wins and 33 points, though the Canes have played three fewer games.

Red Deer remains atop the Central with 36 points and a record of 17-9-2-0.

Brett Davis finished the game with two goals, one assist, three shots, and was a +3. He also won 8 of 12 faceoffs.

Brandon Hagel earned one assist to bump his point total to 46 in 27 games. He sits 5th in scoring league-wide with 18 goals and 28 helpers.

Goaltender Ethan Anders returned to the net after Byron Fancy got the start Saturday. The 18-year-old made 36 saves and now has a record of 15-5.

Up next for the Red Deer Rebels is a date with the Regina Pats at home this Friday. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.