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Rebels Trek to Playoffs Was One for the Ages; New Challenge Awaits

March 22, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL) - Red Deer Rebels News Release


The Red Deer Rebels' amazing journey to the Western Hockey League playoffs was not something the average fan would have predicted.

The manner in which the Rebels not only overcame a 12-point deficit to qualify for the post-season but also finished six points clear of the Kootenay Ice for the final Central Division playoff position, was truly extraordinary.

"What we've accomplished to get here, no one ever expected," said Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter, roughly 24 hours prior to Friday's Eastern Conference quarter-final opener versus the host Lethbridge Hurricanes. "We've done some pretty remarkable things since the 23rd of January."

And now . . .

"We have to take that next step. We've got to the dance, now we want to be good at it," added the Rebels boss. "Everyone has to raise their game to another level. It's a different time of the year, it's the post-season now.

"We need everyone to be good players for us and we need everyone to be dialled in and focused and not distracted."

Goaltending more often than not is the decider in a playoff clash and this series could be no exception. The Hurricanes will start veteran Logan Flodell in Game 1 and the Rebels will answer with second-year stopper Riley Lamb.

"They have a 20-year-old and we have a 19-year-old," said Sutter, who has the utmost confidence in both Lamb and rookie Ethan Anders.

"If you want to pinpoint one area that was a big reason why we got to where we did, it's that our goaltending was really good in January and February and through the month of March for the most part.

"There's no reason why Lamber can't carry on and continue to play well for us. If something happens where his game isn't where it needs to be at certain points, then we can go to Anders. We're pretty comfortable with our goaltending."

The Rebels have struggled mightily to win in Lethbridge over the past few years, but posted a 4-1 victory during their last visit to the Enmax Centrium, on March 9. Red Deer then defeated the 'Canes 5-2 five nights later at the Centrium.

"We played well in those two games. They had a couple guys banged up, but so did we," said Sutter.

"We have to use that as a positive thing for us and have that help us build toward how we need to play in this series."

The Rebels head into the series without the services of key defenceman Alex Alexeyev, who suffered an upper-body injury Feb. 28 and is listed as week-to-week. There is no current injury update on the WHL site but 'Canes defenceman Tate Olsen was listed as week-to-week (upper body) on March 13.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be played Saturday in Lethbridge, with the third and fourth contests set for Tuesday and Wednesday - March 27-28 - at the Centrium.

Additional games, if needed, will go Saturday, March 31 in Lethbridge, Sunday, April 1 at the Centrium (6 p.m.) and Tuesday, April 3 in Lethbridge.

Notable: The Rebels have two first-round selections in the May 3 WHL bantam draft at the Sheraton Red Deer. The Rebels will pick seventh and 16th overall, the second selection courtesy of the Regina Pats . . . The Edmonton Oil Kings own the first pick, while Kootenay moved up two spots in Wednesday's draft lottery involving the six non-playoff teams and will pick second overall. The next four picks, in order, will belong to the Prince Albert Raiders (from the Prince George Cougars), the Calgary Hitmen, Kamloops Blazers and Saskatoon Blades. The remainder of the draft order: 7. Red Deer Rebels; 8. Lethbridge Hurricanes; 9. Prince Albert (traded to Prince George); 10. Seattle Thunderbirds; 11. Medicine Hat Tigers; 12. Vancouver Giants; 13. Victoria Royals; 14. Tri-City Americans; 15. Brandon Wheat Kings; 16. Regina Pats (traded to Red Deer Rebels); 17. Spokane Chiefs; 18. Kelowna Rockets; 19. Portland Winterhawks; 20. Everett Silvertips (traded to Edmonton Oil Kings); 21. Swift Current Broncos (traded to Prince George Cougars); 22. Moose Jaw Warriors.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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