The Red Deer Rebels’ first trip to Saskatchewan this season didn’t end as hoped, despite a solid effort. The team started strong, leading after the first period, but the Saskatoon Blades rallied back, securing a 4-2 victory Friday night in front of more than 8,100 fans at SaskTel Centre. With the loss, Red Deer’s record drops to 1-3-0-0, while Saskatoon moves to 3-2-0-0.
Ty Coupland opens up the scoring for the Rebels at 17:38 of the first period scoring on a rebound that bounced of the back boards. The assists on the goal went to Beckett Hamilton and former Brooks Bandit Nate Yellowaga.– Ty Coupland kicked off the scoring for the Rebels, capitalizing on a juicy rebound from Beckett Hamilton’s point shot that caromed off the end boards directly to his stick, leaving him with an open net. He buried his second goal in as many games with 2:22 left in the first period. Blueliner Nate Yellowaga chipped in with an assist, marking his first career WHL point.
Shots on goal in the first period were 8-7 for the Blades.
Calgary Flames 2024 6th round pick Hunter Laing tied the game up for the Blades at 4:36 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Calgary native Brayden Klimpke and German David Lewandowski.
20 year old Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native Rowan Calvert makes it a 2-1 game for the Blades at 17:45 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to German and Boston College commit Dustin Willhoft and former Lethbridge Hurricane Tristen Doyle.
Shots on goal in the second period were 12-4 for the Blades
Colorado College commit Zach Olsen gave the Blades a 3-1 lead at 4:45 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Dustin Willhoft and Ben Bowtell.
Beckett Hamilton deflects a Keith McInnis shot at 5:38 of the third period to get the Rebels within 1 in a 3-2 game. The other helper on the goal went to Luke Vlooswyk.– Beckett Hamilton halved the deficit less than a minute later, as he perfectly deflected a Keith McInnis point shot past Blades goalie Evan Gardner to register his first goal of the season.
Flaxhome, Saskatchewan native Triston Mitchell-McElhone got the Blades some insurance and made it a 4-2 game at 8:59 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to former Seattle Thunderbird Kazden Mathies and Red Deer native Kohen Lodge.
Shots on goal in the third period were 13 each. The Blades outshot the Rebels 33-24 in the game.
Columbus Blue Jackets 2024 2nd round pick Evan Gardner made 22 saves on the 24 shots that he faced for the win for the Blades. For the Rebels Peyton Shore made 29 saves on the 33 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game 1) Hunter Laing 2) Zach Olsen 3) Beckett Hamilton
Attendance in Saskatoon was 8387
Rebels next game is Saturday October 4th in Prince Albert against the Prince Albert Raiders.
Talon Brigley was named Captain of the Rebels. Any other choice would of been almost criminal so it is nice to see him get it. Serving as Alternate Captains for the Rebels this year are 19-year-old defencemen Keith McInnis and Derek Thurston, 19-year-old forward Jaxon Fuder, and 18-year-old Matthew Gard.
– Brett Calhoon (F, ’05) — released and signed with the Brooks Bandits of the BCHL (played last night with Brooks) – Matthew Kondro (G, ’07) — reassigned to Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL) – Graeme Pickering (D, ’09) — reassigned to Winkler Flyers (MJHL).
