Rebels Edge Calgary 3-2
March 4, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Friday marked the state of a huge home and home series between the Rebels and Calgary Hitmen in the battle for second place in the WHL Central Division. Coming into the game, the Rebels had managed just one shootout win in four games versus Calgary this season.
FIRST PERIOD
The Rebels opened the scoring in this important game just over two minutes into the opening period. Conner Bleackley, playing in his first game in nearly six weeks, forced a turnover in the Hitmen zone. He chipped the puck over to Adam Helewka, fresh off signing a contract with the San Jose Sharks, who ripped on off the post and past goalie Cody Porter for his 35th goal of the year.
Helewka struck again with a power play goal at the 12 minute mark as he again cut through the slot and put one past a screened Porter. Colton Bobyk and Jake DeBrusk assisted on the 2-0 goal.
SECOND PERIOD
Calgary's power play came through to get the Hitmen on the board in the middle frame. Calgary Flames prospect Pavel Karnukhov fought off a check to beat Trevor Martin for his 12th goal of the year, cutting the Rebels lead to 2-1.
Calgary tied the game just over two minutes later as Carson Twarynski went top shelf on Martin for his 15th goal. Just like that this game was tied 2-2.
THIRD PERIOD
The game remained deadlocked until late in the third period when the Rebels took the lead. Porter couldn't handle a Colton Bobyk point blast and Jake DeBrusk was there to tap home the rebound out of mid-air for his 19th goal of the year. Michael Spacek also assisted on the 3-2 Rebels go-ahead goal that came with 4:15 remaining.
The Hitmen pushed hard to tie the game, pulling the goalie for the extra attacker before ringing a shot off the post with only a few seconds remaining, but the Rebels would hang on for a 3-2 victory.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2016
- Royals Best Giants - Victoria Royals
- Rebels Edge Calgary 3-2 - Red Deer Rebels
- Kamloops trips up Kelowna - Kelowna Rockets
- Winterhawks Earn 5-3 Win over Tri-Cities Friday - Portland Winterhawks
- Heartbreaker - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hurricanes Blow Over Blades - Saskatoon Blades
- Rebels get past Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Pats Fall in Shootout - Regina Pats
- Jordan Tkatch records first career hat trick as part of five-goal second period - Prince Albert Raiders
- Ryan Murray, Radko Gudas Among Silvertips Alumni Named to World Cup of Hockey Rosters - Everett Silvertips
- McRae's Mad Mondays Continue March 7th - Victoria Royals
- Game Day Report: Blazers Face Rockets on CCM Propac Night - Kamloops Blazers
- Game Day: Rockets and Blazers Begin Home and Home in Kamloops - Kelowna Rockets
- Game 65: March 4. vs. Edmonton - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Notes: Roadie to Regina - Swift Current Broncos
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, March 4 at Red Deer - Calgary Hitmen
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