Hitmen Win 5-1 over the Rebels and Take Series 4-1
Published on April 12, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
CALGARY - In five games, the Red Deer Rebels only led the Calgary Hitmen once - in Game 3, which they won 2-1. And we all know the importance of playing with the lead.
In the end, it would be the end of the Rebel season - and that happened Thursday night. The Hitmen beat the Rebels 5-1 at the Saddledome and wins the best-of-seven series 4-1. Calgary now advances to the Western Hockey League's Eastern Final against the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Rebels ... well, next year.
Red Deer had trouble getting things going Thursday, taking eight minor penalties, and serving up two late short handed empty net goals. Calgary outshot the Rebels 34-17 through 60 minutes.
The Hitmen opened the scoring with a shot PATRIK BARTOSAK surely would have like back: a snapshot from Greg Chase, just inside the blueline, got by Bartosak to just trickle over the goal line at 2:32. But the Rebels responded, just 1:01 later, when captain TURNER ELSON let a rocket fly which whistled by Calgary goalie Chris Dreiger, blocker side. The goal sparked the Rebels - CONNER BLEACKLEY rattled one off the post a minute or so later. Calgary answered back when Zane Jones tipped a Brooks Macek shot from the left boards at 10:37. Jones wanted his second of the game, but Bartosak made a huge save. The Rebels did a fine job of killing a five-on-three in the last five minutes of the period.
SECOND PERIOD
Bartosak continued performing his magic making a number of great saves. The Rebels had trouble clearing the puck on the power play and the Hitmen capitalized. Calder Brooks scored his first goal of the series when he came out from behind the net on the powerplay at 4;32. Red Deer struggled for the first five minutes of the middle frame when Calgary outshot the Rebels 5-0. Overall, Calgary led the shot clock 8-2 after 40 minutes. The Hitmen came within a skate going up 4-1 when Macek rang one off the Rebel goal post in the late going.
THIRD PERIOD
The Rebels couldn't just find the groove. Spencer Humphries and Elliott Peterson scored empty-net goals in the last three minutes of the game.
Three Stars
1. ZANE JONES - CGY
2. GREG CHASE - CGY
3. CALDER BROOKS - CGY
Western Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2013
- Kootenay Ice's Sam Reinhart Named Captain of Canada's IIHF U18 Team - WHL
- Series in Review, Winterhawks up Next - Kamloops Blazers
- Pulock Named Honorary Hockey Manitoba Prospect - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hitmen Win 5-1 over the Rebels and Take Series 4-1 - Red Deer Rebels
- Hitmen advance to Husky WHL Eastern Conference Championship - Calgary Hitmen
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