In one of the best games to watch this season, the Red Deer Rebels pulled off a remarkable 5-4 victory against the top-ranked Saskatoon Blades, despite missing key players. Hunter Mayo’s hat trick and Chase Wutzke’s 31 saves stole the spotlight. Despite an early setback, the Rebels, without key players, stayed composed. Mayo’s heroics included a tying power-play goal and the eventual game-winner. Wutzke’s stellar performance, especially in penalty kills, earned praise from coach Derrick Walser. The relentless forecheck and timely blocks sealed the win, extending the Rebels’ winning streak to five. Mayo’s confidence and the team’s collective effort stood out, emphasizing the importance of standing points. Coach Walser acknowledged injuries but emphasized the need to focus on the next challenge in Medicine Hat.
Rowan Calvert opens up the scoring for the Blades just 39 seconds into the game. Assisted by LaSalle, Manitoba native Tyler Parr and former Rebel Nicholas Andrusiak.- The visitors scored just 39 seconds in as Rowan Calvert hauled in a stretch pass from Tyler Parr, broke in alone and beat Wutzke high to the glove side.
Talon Brigley responds for the Rebels at 3:56 of the first period with the assists on the goal to Ollie Josephson and Kalan Lind.–Talon Brigley evened the count just over three minutes later, converting his own rebound off the back boards.
Frantisek Formanek makes it a 2-1 Rebels game at 6:27 of the opening period with the assists on the goal to Kai Uchacz and Hunter Mayo.– Frantisek Formanek scored a go-ahead tally for Red Deer at the 6:27 mark, taking a pass from Kai Uchacz and beating goalie Austin Elliott glove side with a quick release.
Fraser Minten ties it up at 2-2 when he gets his 7th goal of the season assisted by Vaughn Watterodt at 11:15 of the opening period.– Minten nodded the game at 2-2 with a snazzy move in the slot just over halfway through the opening frame. The Vancouver, BC native extended his point streak to six games with the tally.
Hunter Mayo scores for the Rebels to make it a 3-2 game at 14:06 of the first. The assist on the goal to Talon Brigley.–Born and raised in Saskatoon, Rebels’ defenceman Hunter Mayo scored his fifth of the season against his hometown team to make it 3-2. Brigley picked up his second point of the night with a secondary assist.
Brandon Lisowsky scored for the Blades and made it a 3-3 game at 17:02 of the first period. The assists going to Fraser Minten and Ben Saunderson.-Saskatoon drew even once again before the period ended on a strange goal. Minten’s shot hit the top of the net and bounced to Brandon Lisowsky who redirected it home while skating by the goal.
Shots in the first period were 12-10 for Red Deer
Rowan Calvert scores his second goal of the game to give the Blades a 4-3 lead on the Power Play at 4:26 of the second period. Assists on the goal to Egor Sidorov and Grayden Siepmann.– Calvert tapped home his second of the game 4:26 into the middle frame on the powerplay. The Moose Jaw, SK product has 15 points in 42 games this season and provided an extra jolt against a hot Rebels team.
Hunter Mayo gets hit second goal of the game on the Power Play and ties the game up at 14:28 of the middle frame. The assists on the goal going to Kai Uchacz and Kalan Lind.–Mayo potted a tying goal at 14:28 of the middle frame, making good on the Rebels’ lone power play with a slapshot from the point,
Hunter Mayo scores the game winning goal and makes it a 5-4 game at 15:49 of the second period. Assists on the goal to Quentin Bourne and Jhett Larson.–Mayo completed the hat-trick to give the Rebels a 5-4 lead under five minutes left in the second. The 6-foot-1 blueliner has seven goals and 18 points in 29 games this season.
Shots in second period were 12-11 for the Blades.
Shots in third period were 13-4 for the Blades and the Blades outshot the Rebels 35-27 in the game
Chase Wutzke made 31 saves on the 35 shots that he faced for the win for the Rebels. Austin Elliot made 8 saves on the 11 shots that he faced before being replaced by Evan Gardiner after the third Rebels goal. Gardiner then stopped 14 of the 16 shots he faced for the Blades.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Hunter Mayo 2) Fraser Minten 3) Talon Brigley
Rebels next game is Friday January 19th in Medicine Hat against the Tigers. The Rebels next home game is Saturday January 20th against the Prince Albert Raiders.
Gard and Birnie (upper, day to day) Latimer (lower, week to week) Lindgren (personal)
