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WHL Red Deer Rebels

Rebels Fall to Oil Kings in Preseason Opener

September 4, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


EDMONTON - The Red Deer Rebels were like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle during the first period of Tuesday's WHL preseason game.

The Rebels youngsters were outshot 25-9 and outscored 4-1 in the opening period of a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Downtown Community Arena.

"It was a scrambly first period for us, especially in our own zone. It was the first exhibition game for a lot of these players and they were trying to impress," said Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter.

"It was good for these kids to get into the game and against a team that had some veterans."

While the Rebels had just two second-year players in their lineup - forward Dallon Melin and netminder Byron Fancy - the Oil Kings dressed seven returning players, including forward Dylan Guenther who scored twice.

Rebels rookie rearguard Mason Ward opened the scoring with an unanswered marker 5:10 into the contest, but Guenther pulled the Oil Kings even 79 seconds later and Tyler Horstmann gave the hosts a 2-1 lead at 9:59.

Guenther then tallied the eventual winner 38 seconds later and Jesse Sepalla rounded out the first-period scoring for the Oil Kings.

Another Red Deer rookie, 15-year-old Jace Weir, buried a feed from Jaxsen Wiebe 6:45 into the second period before Edmonton veteran Matthew Robertson replied a mere 31 seconds later.

Fancy allowed all five goals on 29 shots, while Eric Ward stopped all 10 shots he faced the rest of the way.

Oil Kings netminders Sebastian Cossa, Red Deer native Colby Knight and Kolby Hay combined to make 30 saves.

"It was kind of like the last day of camp with your young players, you're playing all your kids," said Sutter. "Except for our two goalies, everyone was 17 and younger.

"Like Shaun (Rebels assistant GM Sutter) says, it's good to watch them when they're not all stars playing midget hockey. WHL exhibition is 10 times the level of midget hockey and the regular season goes to another level altogether.

"It's good to see these kids when they're not standouts in games and see how they handle that."

The Rebels return to preseason play Friday when they host the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 7 p.m. at the Centrium.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 4, 2019


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