The Red Deer Rebels secured a 6-3 victory against the Edmonton Oil Kings, extending their WHL win streak. The game started with the Oil Kings outshooting and scoring in the first period. However, the Rebels dominated the second period with six goals, led by Kalan Lind’s impressive performance, including a goal that tied the game. Matteo Fabrizi and Hunter Mayo also contributed goals in the period. Coach Derrick Walser emphasized the team’s need to refocus after a lackluster first period, praising their skill and strength. Despite a late resurgence from the Oil Kings in the final period, the Rebels, successful on the power play and penalty kill, maintained their lead. Goaltender Hudson Perry made key saves, and the three stars of the game were Lind, Mayo, and Kai Uchacz. The Rebels now look ahead to a challenging road trip after completing a successful eight-game homestand. Lind expressed the team’s focus on taking it one game at a time and building on their current winning streak.
Former Saskatoon Blade Smyth Rebman gets the Oil Kings on the board first 1:53 into the game with the assists on the goal to 20 year old Marc Lajoie and Lethbridge native John Szabo.–Smyth Rebman tipping a point shot past a partially screened Chase Wutzke in the Red Deer net.
Shots in the first period were 10-5 for the Oil Kings.
Kalan Lind gets the Rebels on the board at 2:40 of the second period unassisted. That is Lind’s 8th goal of the season.– At the 2:40 mark of the second period, Lind leveled the score for the Rebels by emerging from behind the net, transitioning to his forehand, and outplaying goaltender Hudson Perry.
Frantisek Formanek made it a 2-1 Rebels game at 4:56 of the middle frame with the assists going to Kai Uchacz and Mats Lindgren.– Just over two minutes later, Frantisek Formanek scored on two-on-one break with a shot low to Perry’s glove side.
Matteo Fabrizi scores his first goal of the year to make it 3-1 Rebels at 12:38 of the second period. With the assists on the goal going to Kalan Lind and Talon Brigley.– Matteo Fabrizi, the defenseman, notched his inaugural goal of the season, extending the lead to 3-1. Lind, assessing the situation during a short break, opted to pass to Fabrizi, who found himself with virtually an open net.
Hunter Mayo makes it 4-1 Rebels on the Power Play at 15:13 of the second frame with the assists going to Carson Latimer and Kai Uchacz.– Hunter Mayo, netted the first of his two goals in the period by receiving a pass from Carson Latimer and unleashing a one-timer from the point during a Red Deer power play.
Mats Lindgren makes it a 5-1 game for the Rebels unleashing a blast from the high slot at 17:39 of the second period on the Power Play with the assists going to Samuel Drancak and Hunter Mayo.– Mats Lindgren connected on a second power play with a blast from the point.
Hunter Mayo scores his second goal of the game with 30 seconds left in the second with the assists going to Jhett Larson and Kai Uchacz.- Mayo completed the onslaught, taking a drop pass from Jhett Larson and finding the back of the net from the top of the left circle.
Shots in the second were 16-6 for the Rebels.
Nipawin, Saskatchewan Roan Woodward cuts the lead to 6-2 when he scored for the Oil Kings at 4:52 of the third period with the assist on the goal going to former Tri City American Marc Lajoie.
Gavin Hodnett gets his 9th goal of the season on the Power Play to get the Oil Kings within 3 at 14:08 of the final period. Assists on the goal to Ty Nash and former Moose Jaw Warrior Matthew Gallant.
Shots in the third period were 12-8 for the Oil Kings. The Rebels outshot the Oil Kings in the game 29-28.
Chase Wutzke made 25 saves on the 28 shots that he faced for the win for the Rebels. 16 year old Sexsmith, Alberta native Hudson Perry stopped 23 of the 29 shots that he faced for the Oil Kings.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Kalan Lind 2) Hunter Mayo 3) Kai Uchacz
Rebels next game is January 27th Saturday against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Who no longer have 2023 Detroit Red Wings first rounder Nate Danielson and just got murdered by the Calgary Hitmen 8-0 last night. The Wheat Kings will probably come out a little hungry after that embarrassment.
The Oil Kings have recalled 2008-born goaltender Parker Snell from NAX U17 Prep.
