The Red Deer Rebels anticipated facing the Medicine Hat Tigers in the inaugural round of the WHL playoffs. What they desired was home-ice advantage. Unfortunately, that potential outcome was erased Wednesday when they suffered a 6-3 defeat to the Swift Current Broncos in front of 2,371 spectators at the InnovationPlex. With both teams having two games left to play, the Rebels could potentially tie the Tigers for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but would fall behind them in wins, which would serve as the tie-breaker.
Samuel Drancak opens up the scoring for the Rebels on the Power Play at 6:33 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Carson Birnie and Ollie Josephson.-Samuel Drancak opened the scoring for Red Deer on the power play at 6:33, tucking in a loose puck past Reid Dyck while reaching around from behind the goal line.
Brandon, Manitoba native Clarke Caswell tied the game up for the Broncos at 19:12 of the first period. The assist on the goal went to 18 year old Steinbach, Manitoba native Luke Mistelbacher.-the Broncos pulled even at 19:12 when Clarke Caswell notched his 24th goal of the season on a breakaway.
Shots on goal in the first period were 17-8 for the Rebels
Ryan McCleary gave the Broncos the 2-1 lead at 11:43 of the second period with the assists going to Clarke Caswell and Conor Geekie.– Ryan McCleary put the finishing touches on a three-way passing play at 11:43
Shots in the second were 10-7 for the Broncos
Matthew Ward scored his 19th goal of the season to make it 3-1 Broncos at 5:37 of the third period with the assists on the goal went to Anaheim Ducks 2022 5th round pick Connor Hvidston and former Calgary Hitmen captain Tyson Galloway.–Matthew Ward scored his 19th of the season while fighting off a check at 5:37
New Jersey Devils 2022 6th rounder Josh Filmon made it 4-1 for the Broncos from Connor Hvidston and Matthew Ward at 5:55 of the third period.–18 seconds later Josh Filmon scored his 27th on a one-timer to make it 4-1.
Talon Brigley scored for the Rebels at 12:18 of the third period with the assist on the goal going to Ollie Josephson.–Talon Brigley scored his 20th at 12:18
Saskatoon native Connor Gabriel gave the Broncos a 5-2 lead at 15:36 of the third period with the assists on that goal to 2022 Pittsburgh Penguins first rounder Owen Pickering and Rylan Gould.–an unfortunate bounce gave the Broncos a three-goal lead again at 15:36 when Connor Gabriel grabbed a lose puck in front of Rhett Stoesser after it bounced off a Red Deer defender.
Jhett Larson scored for the Rebels at 16:50 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Kai Uchacz and Mats Lindgren.–The Red Deer power play connected for the second time on four opportunities at 16:50 with Jhett Larson collecting his 15th goal.
Connor Hvidston put one into the empty net with 3:06 left in the game to make it a 6-3 contest with the assists on the goal going to Josh Filmon and Connor Geekie. I still think that pulling the goalie no matter what with anymore than a minute and a half left in the game is very stupid. Its beyond very stupid. You have such a small chance of getting it. It is like a bad gambling addiction. It just looks dumb and so many teams are doing it now even in the NHL. The only good incentive of doing it would be if they let you leave the ice after you let the goal in. It is like you want to solidify your loss even more.
Shots on goal in the third period were 9 each.
Reid Dyck made 30 saves on the 33 shots that he faced for the win for the Broncos. Rhett Stoesser made 21 saves on the 26 shots that he faced for the Rebels.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Clarke Caswell 2) Matthew Ward 3) Josh Filmon
Attendance in Swift Current was 2371
Rebels next and final home game of the regular season is Saturday March 23rd against the Edmonton Oil Kings.
