In Tuesday’s contest, Team Black appeared to have control when defenseman former Calgary Canuck Connor Frost scored from the left circle, giving them a 3-1 lead in the third period, despite Team White’s goalkeeper Regina native Taylor Tabashniuk being screened.
However, Team White’s newcomer from the Czech Republic, Samuel Drancak, brought his team within one goal at the 18:41 mark, scoring from the edge of the crease. He then swiftly tied the game just 22 seconds later, capitalizing on a pass from fellow countryman Frantisek Formanek, outsmarting the defenseman and goalie Matthew Kondro before slipping the puck into the open net. The game had started with former Edmonton Junior Oiler Zane Saab giving Team White a 1-0 lead in the first period, courtesy of a centering pass from Evan Smith. Team Black managed to level the score at 2-2 in the middle frame when 16 year old Jovan Sandhu from Surrey, BC scored on his own rebound at 12:01.
In the third period, veteran Jhett Larson made it 2-1 for Team Black, beating Tabashniuk with his second shot attempt after receiving a pass from Ollie Josephson. Frost then extended Team Black’s lead to 3-1. However, Drancak’s late goals leveled the game, forcing a shootout in which Nick Kovich scored the only goal.
Team White dominated in shots, leading 43-31. Kyle Kelsey started in goal for Team Black, making 22 saves, while White’s starter, Chase Wutzke, stopped all 13 shots he faced for approximately 32 minutes before being replaced by Tabashniuk and Kondro.
The Rebels’ preseason continues with a game against the Hitmen on Friday at 7 p.m. at Siksika First Nation, followed by a matchup against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Red Deer’s preseason schedule also includes games on September 15 and 16 against the visiting Hitmen and the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Red Deer Advocate Home Opener will take place on Friday, September 22, when the Rebels face the Oil Kings.
The Red Deer Rebels have finalized their roster for the upcoming 2023-24 WHL Pre-season. After wrapping up their Training Camp and Tuesday night’s Black and White Game, they are all set to kick off the pre-season.
The roster consists of a total of 35 players, comprising 20 forwards:
Craig Armstrong (’03), Carson Birnie (’05), Talon Brigley (’05), Escalus Burlock (’05), Samuel Drancak (’06), Frantisek Formanek (’04), Matthew Gard (’07), Levi Green (’05), Beckett Hamilton (’08), Dwayne Jean Jr. (’04), Ollie Josephson (’06), Jhett Larson (’04), Carson Latimer (’03), Kalan Lind (’05), Jeramiah Roberts (’06), Evan Smith (’06), Zane Saab (’06), Steven Steranka (’07), Tucker Tullikopf (’08), Kai Uchacz (’03).
There are also 11 defensemen:
Nick Andrusiak (’04), Quentin Bourne (’06), Elias Carmichael (’03), Tate Dolinsky (’07), Matteo Fabrizi (’05), Mats Lindgren (’04), Hunter Mayo (’04), Jake Missura (’08), Derek Thurston (’06), Luke Vlooswyk (’07), Jace Weir (’04).
And lastly, there are 4 goaltenders:
Kyle Kelsey (’04), Taylor Tabashniuk (’07), Chase Wutzke (’06).
It’s worth noting that Goaltender Rhett Stoesser (’05) is not expected to participate in the pre-season due to his ongoing recovery from a lower-body injury sustained back in February.
The Rebels’ pre-season journey begins on Friday, September 8th, as they hit the road to face the Calgary Hitmen at the Siksika Deerfoot Sportsplex at 7 p.m. They will also host the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Peavey Mart Centrium for a pre-season matchup on Sunday, September 10th, at 2 p.m.