The Red Deer Rebels returned home to the Marchant Crane Centrium on Saturday night following a two-week road swing through B.C., and they made a strong statement with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Wearing their sharp #CHLJerseyContest threads—the winning design from the CHL Jersey Design Contest—the Rebels got contributions from across the lineup in a well-rounded effort. Aleksey Chichkin opened the scoring, Talon Brigley found the back of the net, Tyson Yaremko banked home the game-winner, and Beckett Hamilton added some late insurance. Landon MacSwain was particularly impressive with a three-point night (one goal, two assists), while goaltender Matthew Kondro picked up his 12th win of the season.The game held extra weight as the final meeting of the season series between the two clubs. With the win, Red Deer pulled to within two points of Moose Jaw for seventh place in the WHL Eastern Conference and also moved three points clear of the Regina Pats. On the scoresheet, several players kept their hot streaks alive: Chichkin now has points in four straight games (1G, 3A), while Beckett Hamilton has been producing in three consecutive outings and 12 of his last 14 (7G, 8A). The Rebels were without Cameron Dillard, Cole Temple (lower body), and Grayden Peterson, who were scratched for the contest.
Aleksey Chichkin scores his second goal of the season to give the Rebels the 1-0 lead at 4:24 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Nate Yellowaga and Landon MacSwain.–The Rebels struck first with a crisp early tally. Defenceman Nate Yellowaga quietly slipped into prime position down low before threading a slick cross-slot feed to Aleksey Chichkin at the high slot. Chichkin wasted no time, roofing a quick snap shot that beat former Rebels goaltender Chase Wutzke cleanly between the legs to open the scoring.
Talon Brigley made it a 2-0 game for the Rebels at 8:29 of the first period. With the assist on the goal going to Landon MacSwain.–Talon Brigley made it count in a big way, capitalizing on his own rebound to extend the Rebels’ advantage. After driving hard to the net and attempting a sharp wrap-around, Brigley stayed persistent, pouncing on the loose puck and roofing it past the goaltender to give his team a commanding two-goal lead.
Shots on goal in the first period were 9-8 for the Warriors.
Tyson Yaremko gives the Rebels a 3-0 lead at 6:24 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Poul Andersen and Patrick Sopiarz.–The Rebels capitalized once more with just 14 seconds remaining on the man advantage. Poul Andersen ripped a heavy shot from the point that managed to sneak through the pads of Chase Wutzke, leaving a juicy rebound right on the doorstep. Tyson Yaremko was perfectly positioned to pounce, calmly tapping the loose puck into the open net to stretch the Rebels’ lead even further.
Beckett Hamilton made it 4-0 for the Rebels at 17:14 of the second period unassisted.–Beckett Hamilton kept piling on the production, extending his team-leading point total with a highlight-reel strike. After receiving the puck at the top of the circle, Hamilton spun smoothly to create separation before unleashing a powerful wrist shot that beat the goaltender cleanly, giving the Rebels their fourth goal of the night.
University of Alaska Fairbanks commit Pavel McKenzie gets the Warriors on the board at 19:29 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Drayton Valley, Alberta native Colt Carter and 20 year old Bemidji State commit Aiden Ziprick.
Shots on goal in the second period were 25-5 for the Rebels.
Cumberland House, Saskatchewan native Pavel McKenzie scores his second of the night for the Warriors at 14:47 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Sacred Heart commit Ethan Semeniuk and Connor Schmidt.
Landon MacSwain scores his 11th goal of the season into the empty net at 16:57 of the third period unassisted to make it a 5-2 game Rebels.
Shots on goal in the third period were 16-15 for the Warriors. The Rebels outshot the Warriors 48-30 in the game.
Matthew Kondro made 28 saves on the 30 shots that he faced for the win for the Rebels. For the Warriors former Rebel Chase Wutzke made 43 saves on the 47 shots he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Beckett Hamilton 2) Chase Wutzke 3) Landon MacSwain
Attendance in Red Deer was 4127
Rebels next game is Tuesday February 10th against the Everett Silvertips in Red Deer
