Rebels 4 Hurricanes 1
LETHBRIDGE– One line did all the damage on Friday in Lethbridge as the Red Deer Rebels inched closer to a WHL playoff spot.
Kristen Reichel, Brandon Hagel and Mason McCarty accounted for all the scoring in the Rebels 4-1 victory over the Hurricanes.
The trio combined for seven points in the win with Hagel earning first star honours and McCarty as the third star.
It was the first time since Jan. 13, 2015 that the Rebels picked up a regular-season victory in Lethbridge, a span of nearly three years and eight games.
With a Kootenay Ice overtime loss, Red Deer’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot is just one point. Riley Lamb stopped 26 of 27 shots to earn the win.
With just under three minutes to play in the first, Brandon Hagel hit Reichel and the Czech Republic native slid a shot under Flodell for his 30th goal of the year.
Hagel found the mark shorthanded 3:42 into the second to open up a 2-1 advantage for Red Deer. It was the 14th goal of the year for the Buffalo Sabres draft pick and he now has eight points in his last six games.
McCarty scored twice in the third including a power-play marker to ice the victory. The goals were number 36 and 37 for the 20-year-old forward from Blackie, Alta.
The Rebels penalty kill also held the strong Hurricanes power play at bay, not allowing a goal on the man advantage in four opportunities.
Red Deer can clinch a playoff spot on home ice Saturday night against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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