The home team secured a shutout victory, with Goaltender Kyle Kelsey making 25 saves and Kai Uchacz, Jayden Grubbe, and Frantisek Formanek providing the winning goals. Uchacz’s goal came in the late stages of the first period, and the score remained the same until the final seven minutes of regulation, when the Rebels added two goals within four minutes to seal the win.
Although the Hitmen had their chances, particularly in the second period, Kelsey made key saves to deny Maxim Muranov and David Adaszynski’s dangerous opportunities on a partial break and power play, respectively.
Meanwhile, Brayden Peters, the Hitmen netminder, made a game-high 33 saves, keeping his team in contention for a victory.
On the special teams front, the penalty killers were the standout performers of the night, as the Hitmen successfully killed all six shorthanded situations, while Red Deer held Calgary’s power play to 0-5. Both teams will have little time to rest, as the series resumes the following day, Saturday, April 1, in Red Deer, with Game 2 set to start at 7:00 p.m. at Peavey Mart Centrium.
Other Notes
Rebels next game is Saturday April 1st in Red Deer Game #2 against the Hitmen.
Attendance in Red Deer 4811
Three Stars 1) Kai Uchacz 2) Jayden Grubbe 3) Kyle Kelsey
The Rebels outshot the Hitmen 36-25. Brayden Peters made 33 stops for the Hitmen while Kyle Kelsey made 25 stops for the Rebels for the Win and the Shutout.
