Sports stats



WHL Red Deer Rebels

Rebels Snap Mini Losing Streak with Workmanlike 4-2 Win over Pats

November 28, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


Just what the doctor ordered.

Winless in their two previous outings, the Red Deer Rebels got back on the winning track Saturday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium with a 4-2 WHL victory over the Regina Pats in front of 3,513 fans.

"It's definitely nice to get back in the winning column," said veteran winger Arshdeep Bains, who scored once and added a pair of assists as the game's first star.

"We battled and played the same as last night," he added, referring to Friday's home contest in which the Rebels had the advantage in puck possession but couldn't cash in often enough in a 3-1 loss to the Saskatoon Blades.

"We played hard and deserved this one. When we lose a game I think we play harder and that's a good trait."

The game wasn't two minutes old when the Rebels struck first, Christoffer Sedoff, from low in the left circle, whipping the puck over to Liam Keeler who tipped it home from the edge of the crease.

Ryker Evans pulled the visitors even roughly five minutes later when he cut across the low slot and caught netminder Chase Coward cheating a little to his right before catching the far side of the net.

But Jace Isley gave the Rebels a permanent lead just 50 seconds later when he broke in alone after taking a perfect two-on-one feed from Bains and rang a shot off the post and into the back of the net.

Bains made it a 3-1 game late in the second period, bouncing a shot off a Regina defender's stick and then lifting the rebound past netminder Drew Sim with the Rebels on the power play.

"That line (Bains with Ben King and Jhett Larson), they're working hard at both ends," said Konowalchuk. "They have the talent to make plays and the key is when they're working that hard they're going to have the puck more, and when they have the puck more things will happen.

"Bains is competing at both ends and if he uses his skill and speed on the cycle he can be a handful. That line is obviously an important line for us."

The forward unit continued to roll in the third period as King wheeled and scored from the low slot midway through the frame. Bains drew an assist on the play as his wrap-around attempt glanced off Sims' stick and out into the slot.

"We were just using our speed and making plays," said Bains. "We know where each other are. We're always looking for each other and having fun out there."

The Rebels controlled the play through a good part of the final period before the Pats made a late push and got a second goal from Borya Valis, who buried a rebound from just outside the blue paint.

The visitors continued to press, forcing Coward to come up with some quality stops in the last few minutes. He finished with 31 saves, his best being a toe stop on Zane Rowan late in the game.

"Our guys came out strong, then made it harder on ourselves in the second half with some of the puck decisions which caused us to defend a little bit," said Konowalchuk.

"But that team pushed too. They have a pretty active defence which can open it up. But we got a win and it's never easy to win. Now we'll take a little breather and get back to work next week.

"We have a week here to practise and it's always more fun and easier to work after a win."

The Rebels are back in action next Friday when the Moose Jaw Warriors visit the Peavey Mart Centrium in the Toque Toss game, when fans will be asked to toss winter items, including toques, mitts, scarves and socks, onto the ice following Red Deer's first goal. The goods will then be delivered to the Christmas Bureau. Two days later, on Sunday afternoon, the Rebels will host the Calgary Hitmen.

Notable: Sim, a native of Tees, made 29 saves for the Pats, who were zero-for-three on the power play. The Rebels were one-for-five with a man advantage . . . Selected as the game's second and third stars were Isley and Sedoff, who had two assists . . . Rebels forward Kalan Lind scored for Canada Team White in a 7-3 win over the Canadian National Women's Team in the Capital City Challenge Friday in Ottawa. The tournament features three Canadian under-17 teams - White, Red and Black - and the national women's team which is preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympics. In Fridays' other game, Team Black beat the women's squad 7-2. Canada Red shut out the women 7-0 Saturday. The tournament ends Wednesday.

Check out the Red Deer Rebels Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2021


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.

Other Recent Red Deer Rebels Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central