The Red Deer Rebels, one of the lowest-scoring teams in the WHL this season, defied expectations by shutting out the Saskatoon Blades with a 5-0 win at the SaskTel Centre. Outshooting their opponents 36-20, the Rebels showcased their resilience in front of 3,512 fans. Chase Wutzke achieved his first career shutout, while Kai Uchacz scored twice and provided two assists. The Rebels’ flawless penalty kill performance was key in this victory, withstanding 36 shots, 13 of which were made with a man advantage.
Frantisek Formanek opened up the scoring for the Rebels at 6:40 of the first period with the assist on the goal going to Kai Uchacz.– Uchacz pounced on a turnover outside the Blades blueline and fed Formanek, who slipped in behind the Saskatoon defence and beat netminder Austin Elliott through the five-hole.
Shots on goal in the first period were 13-7 Blades.
Ollie Josephson scored his 10th goal of the season at 9:14 of the second period beating Blades netminder Austin Elliot high to the glove side to make it 2-0 Rebels with the assist on the goal to Kai Uchacz.– Ollie Josephson significantly expanded Red Deer’s advantage in the middle of the second period, following a sweeping corner pass from Uchacz and sending a soaring shot past Elliott. This milestone marked Uchacz’s 200th career point.
Talon Brigley makes it a 3-0 game at 13:07 of the second period with the assists on the goal to Hunter Mayo and Olllie Josephson.–Talon Brigley made it 3-0 just under four minutes later, burying his 15th of the season to cap a three-on-two-rush
Kai Uchacz scores his 39th goal of the season at 18:42 of the second period with the assist going to Jhett Larson and Frantisek Formanek.–Uchacz scored his 39th late in the period after he and Jhett Larson teamed up to win a puck battle just outside of the crease.
Shots on goal in the second period were tied at 7 each
Kai Uchaz scores his 40th goal of the season unassisted at 11:10 of the third period to make it a 5-0 game.–The Rebels’ team captain scored his 40th goal of the season at 11:10 in the final period, profiting from a turnover in the Blades’ zone. Uchacz, from 40 feet away, shot the puck with its edge resting on the ice, and the shot deflected off goaltender Evan Gardner’s glove and into the net.
Shots on goal in the third period were 16-6 for the Blades. The Blades outshot the Rebels in the game 36-20.
Chase Wutzke stopped all 36 shots that he faced for the Rebels for the win and the shutout. While Austin Elliot made 9 saves on the 12 shots that he faced until getting pulled after the Brigley goal and being replaced by Fort St John, BC native Evan Gardner. Gardner ended up stopping 6 of the 8 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Chase Wutzke 2) Kai Uchacz 3) Frantisek Formanek
Attendance in Saskatoon was 3,512
Rebels next game is Wednesday February 28th against the Raiders in Prince Albert. The Rebels next home game is Friday March 1st against the Swift Current Broncos.
