Leslie and Rebels Teammates Not Basking in Glow of Monday Win over Everett
Published on January 2, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Coming off Monday's impressive come-from-behind 6-2 victory over the Everett Silvertips, the Red Deer Rebels could be excused for feeling a bit giddy.
But that game and the win over one of the WHL's premier teams is now in the rear view mirror.
"The mood is good and we're just focusing on getting back to work and doing what we've been doing lately, pretty much. We've been playing some good hockey," second year Rebels defenceman Chase Leslie said Thursday.
Indeed, the Rebels, over the past month and change, have looked like a different team than the one that played through the first 10 weeks of the season.
"We're just working hard and buying into our systems," said Leslie of the recent about-face. "We're playing together as a team which is helping a lot."
The maturation factor also comes into play. The Rebels suffered through some serious growing pains earlier in the season and the team's younger players - and there are many - are starting to look more at ease.
"Obviously we have a pretty young team but now everybody is a half season in. I see it as we're all vets and we're all able to contribute," said Leslie.
"Everybody is comfortable and there are no nerves going into games now. "You just go out and play and everybody's doing what we came here for. It's starting to come together."
Even though he's in his sophomore season, Leslie is still one of the Rebels' younger skaters. He scored once and added two assists in 51 games - including four playoff contests - as a 16-year-old WHL rookie a year ago and has contributed three goals and two helpers in 33 outings this season.
It's not just his numbers that have improved, he's also playing with more poise.
"It's a lot different in your second year. You're more comfortable, you know what the expectations are so everybody holds you to a higher standard and you hold yourself to a higher standard," said Leslie. "I feel I've been doing a good job with that."
While Leslie doesn't have imposing size at six-foot and 179 pounds, he doesn't shy away from physical play and more often than not, in fact, has bite in his game.
"I've never looked at my size as a downfall," said the Camrose product, who was drafted by the Rebels in the eighth round of the 2017 WHL bantam draft after scoring three goals and collecting 13 points with his hometown AAA Red Wings.
"Obviously I'm not the biggest guy on the ice but I'm always going to use my competitiveness. I think that comes out as physical but it's more about competing and winning one-on-one battles, having a good stick . . . things like that."
Leslie, who notched what proved to be the winning goal in the home-ice conquest of the Silvertips, admitted the Rebels aren't in the greatest position in terms of qualifying for the playoffs. But wins over the visiting Saskatoon Blades and Moose Jaw Warriors Friday and Saturday could close the gap between Red Deer and Brandon, which currently holds down the final wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.
The Wheat Kings are eight points up on the Rebels. Red Deer, though, has played two fewer games and there's still plenty of season left.
"We're feeling pretty good," said Leslie. "We're obviously eight points out of a playoff spot but we've been playing some good hockey.
"You look back at our last 10 games or more and we could have 10 wins. Aside from that lull in Edmonton (an 8-2 loss last Saturday) we've been playing some good hockey. We just have to stick with the process and it's going to work itself out."
Rebels vs. Saskatoon Blades
Friday, 7 p.m., Centrium
The Blades are 5-4-0-1 in their last 10 games and sit third in the East Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 17-16-1-2 record . . . C Chase Wouters (14g,14a) and C Tristen Robins (11-17) share the Saskatoon scoring lead with 28 points apiece, while LW Riley McKay is next in line with 26, including 13 goals. The Blades have another four players with 20 points or more, including C Eric Florchuk, who has 22 (11-11) in 30 games and D Scott Walford (7-15-22) . . . Blades No. 1 netminder Nolan Maier owns a 14-13-1-2 record along with a 3.29 goals-against average and save percentage of .895 . . . Florchuk was selected by the Washington Capitals in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL entry draft and Walford was a third-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2017.
Injuries - Saskatoon: None to report. Red Deer: D Kyle Masters (lower body, week-to-week).
Special teams - Saskatoon: Power play 18.2 per cent, 16th overall; penalty kill 78.6 per cent, 14th. Red Deer - Power play 16.9 per cent, 17th overall; penalty kill 77.4 per cent, 16th.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2020
- Christiansen, Fonstad Named Silvertips Assistant Captains - Everett Silvertips
- Patera Earns Telus Player of the Month - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Portland Winterhawks Take over Third Place in Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings - Portland Winterhawks
- Leslie and Rebels Teammates Not Basking in Glow of Monday Win over Everett - Red Deer Rebels
- Preview: Rockets three game weekend - Kelowna Rockets
- Americans Acquire Malm, Picks in Exchange for Olson - Tri-City Americans
- Cossa Named WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hitmen Acquire Kyle Olson from Tri-City - Calgary Hitmen
- Oil Kings' Cossa Named WHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Month - WHL
- Chiefs' Beckman Named WHL McSweeney's Player of the Month - WHL
- Adam Beckman Claims WHL Player of the Month Honors - Spokane Chiefs
- Tigers' Sillinger Named WHL Rookie of the Month - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Tigers' Sillinger Named WHL Rookie of the Month - WHL
- Winterhawks Take over Third Place in Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings - WHL
- Friday Is Home Depot Family Skate Night - Brandon Wheat Kings
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