Rebels End Busy Weekend with One-Goal Loss at Medicine Hat
January 31, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Red Deer Rebels centre Ben King takes a shot against the Medicine Hat Tigers
(Red Deer Rebels)
MEDICINE HAT - There are teams that simply seem to have another team's number.
Despite sitting in last place in the WHL's Central Division, with nine wins, the Medicine Hat Tigers have enjoyed their time against the second-place Red Deer Rebels this season.
The Tigers defeated the Rebels for the third time in four meetings, scoring twice in the third period to record a 3-2 victory before 1,699 fans at Co-op Place in Medicine Hat on Sunday.
It was the third game in as many days for the Rebels, who travelled to the southern Alberta city Sunday morning, while the Tigers were making their second straight start at home in two days.
But Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk wasn't about to use that as an excuse.
"I'm certainly not and I'm sure the players aren't either," he said. "Up until tonight we've been playing some good hockey. We have to get back doing what we did to have success and learn from what we did tonight and get back at it."
Konowalchuk couldn't see any one reason for the Tigers success against the Rebels.
"I don't think there's any one story ... it seems there's a different story each time," he said. "I can't pinpoint any one thing but they do seem to find ways to get wins against us."
The Rebels, who trailed 1-0 after the first period, led 2-1 after 40 minutes. However, Logan Barlage, a late trade pick up from the Lethbridge Hurricanes, continued his hot streak, scoring twice in the third to give the Tigers the victory.
Barlage tied the game at 4:17 of the final frame, beating Rebels netminder Connor Ungar on a rebound, then connected on the Tigers' lone power play of the game at 9:56. It was his 12th goal of the season, and fifth in four games since joining the Tigers.
Despite the fact the Medicine Hat crew scored twice on only three third-period shots, Konowalchuk wasn't blaming his netminder.
"It came down to (poor) decisions, decisions that put them in scoring chances," he said. "We have to be smarter. We need to work and support each other better and make smarter decisions with and without the puck."
Red Deer native Noah Danielson got the Tigers on the board at 3:14 of the first period as the Tigers held a 10-7 edge in shots.
Both teams opened up play in the middle stanza with Red Deer directing 17 shots at Beckett Langkow while Ungar faced 15.
The Rebels looked to tie the game on Arshdeep Bains' 20th of the season early in the middle frame, but it was wiped out on an offside challenge.
However, Bains didn't let that bother him as he came right back and tied the game at 8:14 on assists by Jackson van de Leest and Kyle Masters.
The point gave Bains 59 on the season and moved him one point up on teammate Ben King in the WHL scoring race.
Liam Keller continued his hot streak notching his 20th goal of the season on the power play at 12:40 to put the Rebels ahead. It was Keeler's 10th goal as he extended his goal-scoring streak to eight games, which is tied for the longest in the league this season. The WHL record is 18 held by Cliff Ronning of the New Westminster Bruins set in 1984.
The Rebels outshot the Tigers 11-3 in the third period.
Langkow finished with 33 saves while Ungar made 25.
Barlage, defenceman Daniel Baker, who had three assists, and Bains were the three stars of the game.
The Rebels continue on a four-game road trip next weekend as they visit Prince Albert Friday (6 p.m. on 106.7 REWIND Radio), Saskatoon Saturday and Brandon on Feb. 7. They return home Feb. 11 against Edmonton.
Images from this story
 Red Deer Rebels centre Ben King takes a shot against the Medicine Hat Tigers |
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