Any hopes the Rebels had of vaulting into first place this weekend were quickly dashed with the Lethbridge Hurricanes power play went to work.
Two power play goals on their first two man advantages have been enough Friday night, but the Hurricanes added four even strength goals winning 6-1.
“We have to get everybody playing better,” said Rebels head coach/GM. “We have a lot of guys tonight who didn’t play well. We just didn’t play with the emotion and intensity we need to play at to have success. Our first period our goaltending struggled.
“Some of our top end guys have to be a lot better.”
The Rebels lone goal came near the end of the first from Luke Philp, his 20th on the season. It had to be reviewed before it was ruled a goal by the on-ice officials.
Assists were credited to Kale Doetzel and Brandon Hagel.
Forward Tyler Wong led the Hurricanes with two goals while Arvin Atwal and Ben Duppereault each had a goal and an assist.
The Canes boast the league’s top power play unit, with a rating of 29 per cent. The Rebels’ penalty kill is 18th in the league, with a 76.6 per cent rating.
Hurricanes scored the first goal, just 12 seconds into their first power play of the night. Connor Bleackley was sent to the box for goalie interference. Cory Milette scored with help from Arvin Atwal.
“They have a good power play,” said Sutter. “It started with Bleakley taking a bad penalty that put us down and they scored right away on it.
“We weren’t hard enough on pucks. It’s the time of year where if you don’t do things the right way and play hard enough the right way this is what happens.
Starting goalie Trevor Martin was given the hook after allowing the third first period goal and Dawson Weatherill was brought in.
Weatherill closed out the period allowing the Hurricanes fourth goal. Martin was back in net to start the second period.
The loss snapped the Rebels five game winning streak.
The Hurricanes have won every matchup between the two so far this season.
The two renew hostilities tonight in Red Deer at the Enmax Centrium in the back half of a home-and-home series. It is also the last time they will play each other during the regular season. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
Note: Hayden Fleury sat for the game as he served a one game suspension. He was suspended on Thursday for a hit from behind on Prince Albert Raiders forward Jordan Tkach during the March 8 game in Red Deer.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com