Rebels Beat Oil Kings in OT for Third Win over Northern Rivals
October 31, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Red Deer Rebels centre Kai Uchacz takes a shot vs. the Edmonton Oil Kings
(Red Deer Rebels)
The Edmonton Oil Kings went into the 2021-22 WHL season as the favourites to finish first in not only the Central Division but possibly the Eastern Conference.
The along came the Red Deer Rebels, who decided they might just be the sleepers of the division, with every chance to finish ahead of the Oil Kings.
The Rebels took a giant step in that direction with a 4-3 overtime win over the Oil Kings Saturday in front of 2,875 fans at the Peavey Mart Centrium, their third win over their northern rivals in four meeting this season.
Ben King potted the winner 4:26 into the extra frame, beating Oil Kings netminder Sebastian Cossa to the top corner with a shot from the left faceoff circle.
"It was nice to finish if off in OT. It was all around a good group effort," said King. "When we play hard we get rewarded.
"In the past we've struggled against then but we're 3-1 against them this year and we have some of our best efforts every time we play them.
"It's just us sticking to our game plan when we're a hard team to play against. When we play the way we want to play we have success."
The teams were scoreless after 20 minutes before Simon Kubieck gave the visitors a 1-0 lead 6:27 into the second period. Blake Stevenson evened the count on a nice give-and-go with Arshdeep Bains three minutes later and King potted his first of two goals on the evening, picking the far corner from the left circle.
Jhett Larson gave the Rebels a 3-1 lead when he converted a nifty two-on-one pass from King, who had taken a great stretch pass from Bains.
The visitors battled back on a pair of third-period markers from Luypen, but the Rebels prevailed on King's extra-time goal.
"I thought we had a good effort the whole game, our guys were ready and came out strong," said Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk. "They got the first goal but it didn't deflate our guys. We got back at it and played well on three on three and finished them off."
The Rebels bench boss didn't put a lot of credence in the fact the Rebels have won three of four meeting with the Oil Kings this fall.
"They're a good team. I don't want to compare ourselves to them," he said. "But I thought overall we played a strong game and our guys were working hard.
"We were skating hard and good for them for getting the two points. They're one of the top ranked teams and our guys know that but we're worried about ourselves. It's all about our guys in the locker room and how they're prepared to play and we were prepared tonight."
Notable: Connor Ungar turned aside 24 shots in the Rebels net, while Cossa made 40 saves at the other end . . . The three stars: (1) King, (2) Luypen and (3) Stevenson . . . The Rebels are in Calgary Sunday to face the Hitmen (2 p.m. on 106.7 REWIND Radio) before heading out on a six-game road trip starting next Thursday in Winnipeg.
Images from this story
 Red Deer Rebels centre Kai Uchacz takes a shot vs. the Edmonton Oil Kings |
Western Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2021
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- Wheat Kings Acquire Roberts - Brandon Wheat Kings
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- Crnkovic Scores Twice, Blades Double-Up Tigers 4-2 - Saskatoon Blades
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