Bains Retakes League Scoring Lead as Rebels Blast Blades 6-1
February 6, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Red Deer Rebels goaltender Connor Ungar vs. the Saskatoon Blades
(Red Deer Rebels)
SASKATOON, Sask - Looking at the scoresheet you'd get the idea Arshdeep Bains wasn't happy about not finding his name on top of the WHL scoring race.
However, Red Deer Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk just shook that idea off and talked more about how hard his troops played in downing the Saskatoon Blades 6-1 before 2,895 fans at the SaskTel Centre Saturday.
"I'm sure he looks at that a bit, but it's more about the wins and wanting to win," said Konowalchuk. "If the guys play the right way there's a chance to get points.
"I thought he (Bains) competed hard yesterday (in a 2-1 win at Prince Albert) and followed that up today, as did (Ben) King.
"But first and foremost was the win and doing anything they can to help the team win. From that the points will come."
For Bains they did just that as he notched his second hat trick of the season and added a pair of assists for a career high five-point night, moving him back ahead of Saskatoon's Kyle Crnkovic atop the scoring race.
Bains has 64 points, one up on Crnkovic, and increased his lead in assists with 41. King, who leads the league in goals with 34, added three helpers and is third in scoring with 62 points.
Rearguard Christoffer Sedoff picked up a pair of assists and leads the WHL with 36 for defenceman, which is also tied for fourth in the league overall.
The Rebels fell behind 1-0 at the 15:52 mark of the first period as Brandon Lisowsky beat Connor Ungar on a breakaway.
However, Kalan Lind and the Rebels power play evened the count at 17:48 on a goal that wasn't counted until after a replay. The referee originally waved off the goal, but the video review booth buzzed down to have a look which showed the puck just over the line.
Bains put the Rebels ahead for good on his 21st of the season at 3:16 of the middle stanza. Once again it was on the power play and once again was reviewed. This time Saskatoon asked if it was offside, but it was ruled good.
The Rebels dominated the middle period, scoring five times - three by Bains and one each by Jace Isley and Liam Keeler.
Keeler's 21st goal of the season was also a power play tally at 12:17. The Rebels were three-for-four with the man advantage while killing off all three shorthanded situations.
"Both units executed and were ready to play," said Konowalchuk. "Both special team coaches did a good job preparing the guys and they stuck with it. We were focused."
Konowalchuk felt the team was sharp from the outset.
"They were mentally ready to play and were focused for the most part. At times it's easy to let things get away when the score gets separated that way, but the guys stayed with it emotionally and controlled their emotions. They played a solid 60 minutes."
Ungar was solid as well, although he faced just 19 shots as he ran his goals against average to 2.24 and save percentage to .917, both third best in the league.
The Rebels exploded against Blades started Ethan Chadwick for all six goals in 32 minutes 19 seconds.
He finished with 19 saves while veteran Nolan Maier made11 saves the rest of the way.
The Rebels lead the league in road wins with 17 (17-5-0-2).
"The guys just seem to go out and play," said Konowalchuk. "The veteran guys lead the way. They're prepared and good for them. I don't like to over-analyse or over-think it.
"The guys just go out and play and expect to play hard whether it's at home or on the road.
We expect that of them and for the most part it's been fairly consistent."
Bains was the game's first star with King second and Sedoff third.
The Rebels will travel Sunday to Brandon where they will battle the Wheat Kings on Tuesday (6 p.m. MT on 106.7 REWIND Radio).
"It's a good chance for a mental break before we refocus as we play a tough team (in Brandon)." concluded Konowalchuk.
The Rebels sit second in the Central Division with a 29-13-2-1 record and 61 points, four behind the Edmonton Oil Kings who they host at the Peavey Mart Centrium Feb. 11.
Images from this story
 Red Deer Rebels goaltender Connor Ungar vs. the Saskatoon Blades |
Western Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2022
- Everett Brings Rockets' Streak to a Halt - Kelowna Rockets
- Pats Storm Back in 3rd vs. Hitmen But Fall in OT - Regina Pats
- Rested Hitmen Down Pats - Calgary Hitmen
- WHL Announces Postponement of WHL Regular Season Game Between Seattle and Vancouver - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Vancouver Giants Announce Postponement of Today's Home Game vs. Seattle - Vancouver Giants
- WHL Announces Postponement of WHL Regular Season Game Between Seattle and Vancouver - WHL
- Pats Look to Snap Skid against Hitmen in Calgary - Regina Pats
- Giants Drop Front Half of a Home-And-Home with Seattle - Vancouver Giants
- Warriors Finish Road Trip with Eighth Straight Win in Medicine Hat - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Thunderbirds Thump Giants - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Royals Lose to Blazers in Gannon's 100th Game - Victoria Royals
- Broncos Down Hurricanes 2-1 at Home - Swift Current Broncos
- Tigers Finish Season Series against Warriors with 5-2 Loss - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Portland Outpaces Chiefs in Goal-Filled Saturday Night Battle - Spokane Chiefs
- Dureau's Hat-Trick Leads Hawks to Ninth Straight Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Close US Trip with Shutout Loss - Prince George Cougars
- Bains Retakes League Scoring Lead as Rebels Blast Blades 6-1 - Red Deer Rebels
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.
