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WHL Red Deer Rebels

Rebels Defeat Hurricanes, Pull to Within Three Points of Their Central Division Rivals

March 15, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


Less than two months ago the Red Deer Rebels' Western Hockey League playoff hopes appeared to be all but dead.

Flash forward to the final week of regular season play and the Rebels are not only assured of a berth in the post-season, but are still in the running to secure home-ice advantage in the first round.

Red Deer kept that possibility alive Wednesday with a 5-2 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes before 3,858 fans at the Centrium, in the process pulling to within three points of the 'Canes for second place in the Central Division.

Both teams have two games remaining, with the Hurricanes clashing with Medicine Hat in a home-and-away series Friday and Saturday and the Rebels hosting the Kootenay Ice Friday and visiting the Ice Saturday at Cranbrook.

The Rebels never trailed in Wednesday's contest, grabbing a 1-0 lead in a rather lacklustre opening frame, then notching two goals in each of the second and third periods.

"We did what we had to to win," said Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter. "It was kind of a sloppy game at times and then at times there was purpose in it.

"Obviously we needed to win if we want to give ourselves a chance. You never know what can happen going into the weekend. Who knows, but at least it keeps it open to some possibly interesting scenarios that can still occur."

The line of Brandon Hagel, Kristian Reichel and Mason McCarty continued with their strong play of late, with each member of the unit contributing on four of the five goals. Reichel scored twice and picked up two assists, Hagel had a goal and a single helper and McCarty recorded two assists.

"We (coaches) harp on it and Hages (Hagel) says the coach harps on it, but that's OK," joked Sutter. "I'm good with that because your best players have to be your best players.

"They should be your best players this time of the year. This is the time of the year you want your top players to rise to the occasion, take it and put everyone on their shoulders.

"They've played well and everyone else has to fall in line and do their jobs. For the most part they've been doing that too."

Asked what makes the line click, Reichel responded: "It's working. Every shot, every pass we make is working and hopefully we'll take it to playoffs.

"We're happy that we're producing now and helping the team to win. It would be nice to stop it now and start it again for playoffs," he added, jokingly.

Reichel opened the scoring at 12:45 of the first period when he pounced on a turnover deep in the 'Canes zone and while attempting to pass to Arshdeep Bains at the front of the net, had the relay deflect off a Lethbridge defender and past goaltender Reece Klassen.

Former 'Canes forward Josh Tarzwell made it 2-0 with a power play goal 64 seconds into the middle frame, busting to the net and converting a perfect feed from Reichel.

Zane Franklin narrowed the gap to one with a man-advantage tally at 5:52, his shot from the left circle beating Rebels goalie Riley Lamb, but the Rebels potted their second power play goal of the period nine minutes later, with Reichel cashing a cross-crease feed from Hagel.

"Our power play moved the puck around . . . after the first power play, the first power play (in the opening period) wasn't very good," said Sutter. "But we talked about just being quicker with things we do, move pucks quicker.

"You have to use your hockey sense out there. Just because the coach tells you what you want to do, you have to read other scenarios, other situations that might occur. I thought the power play did that. They were much better with it."

Hagel finished off a delightful three-way passing play with his linemates early in the third period, before Jake Elmer responded for the visitors with a rising shot from the right circle and Reese Johnson pulled the trigger on Red Deer's final goal late in the game. Tarzwell spotted his teammate moving into the low slot and Johnson scored his 23rd of the season.

"We played pretty well. The (second) and third period we play pretty solid and the first period was like kind of lazy," said Reichel. "But we get into it and we deserved to win."

The Czech forward admitted the Rebels will be plenty motivated for the final weekend with third place in the division still on the line.

"It's a big advantage to start at home so we want to prepare for Friday and try to dial in and make two points," he said. "Anything can happen, they are playing twice Medicine Hat. We'll be prepared and we'll see what happens."

Notable: Lamb turned aside 32 shots for his 13th win of the season, while Klassen made 20 saves . . . Selected as the game's three stars were (1) Reichel, (2) Hagel and (3) Tarzwell . . . The Hurricanes have lost their last seven games . . . The Rebels honoured long-time players billet Jean Stephens prior to the game and requested a moment of silence for Red Deer midget AAA Optimist Chiefs player Ryan McBeath, who was killed in an auto accident Tuesday.

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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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