Broncos down Rebels to claim Central Division title
By DANNY RODE
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. – The Red Deer Rebels had an idea they would be facing the Medicine Hat Tigers in the opening round of the WHL playoffs.
What they wanted was home-ice advantage.
However, that was possibility was eliminated Wednesday as they dropped a 6-3 decision to the Swift Current Broncos before 2,371 fans at the InnovationPlex.
With each team having two games remaining the Rebels could tie the Tigers for fourth in the Eastern Conference, but would finish behind them in wins, which would be the tie-breaker.
“For us I’m not concerned about where we finish it’s about being prepared … it’s attention to detail that makes a difference for us,” said Rebels head coach Dave Struch.
“Opening on the road may be good as there’s no pressure. We come in ready to play and take one win, try to split and go from there.”
The Rebels definitely came ready to play Wednesday as they outshot the Broncos 17-8 in the first period, although it was 1-1 after 20 minutes.
Samuel Drancak opened the scoring for Red Deer on the power play at 6:33, tucking in a loose puck past Reid Dyck while reaching around from behind the goal line.
The Rebels continued to press, but couldn’t find that extra breathing room and the Broncos pulled even at 19:12 when Clarke Caswell notched his 24th goal of the season on a breakaway.
“They only had a couple of chances … a couple breakaways and converted on one,” said Struch.
“Overall we had a lot of Grade A scoring opportunities, but have to bear down and score on them as well.”
Despite falling behind 2-1 in the second period when Ryan McCleary put the finishing touches on a three-way passing play at 11:43, Struch was pleased with what he saw.
“I thought we were just as good in the second period as the first, if not better. We didn’t get as many scoring chances, but we made a couple adjustments between periods and the guys were successful against them and played hard.”
The Rebels did have a slight letdown five minutes into the third period that spelled the difference.
Matthew Ward scored his 19th of the season while fighting off a check at 5:37 and 18 seconds later Josh Filmon scored his 27th on a one-timer to make it 4-1.
But to the Rebels credit they refused to die.
Talon Brigley scored his 20th at 12:18 but an unfortunate bounce gave the Broncos a three-goal lead again at 15:36 when Connor Gabriel grabbed a lose puck in front of Rhett Stoesser after it bounced off a Red Deer defender.
The Red Deer power play connected for the second time on four opportunities at 16:50 with Jhett Larson collecting his 15th goal.
However, Struch took a chance and pulled Stoesser and Connor Hvidston scored his 27th into the empty net at 16:54.
“Overall I felt good about the game, not about the loss, but the effort was there,” said Struch. “Of all their goals I’d sad only one was earned. There was just some little details we were missing on and against a team like that it will just up and bit you in the rear.
“They were just a few little things we’ve been better at since I’ve been here. Still we created a lot of chances and those opportunities come by playing a fast, hard game and playing the right way. That’s important as we head back home for the weekend games and the playoffs.”
ICE CHIPS – Stoesser finished with 21 saves while Dyck, the reigining WHL Goaltender of the Month, made 30 stops, including a three-bell glove save against Kai Uchacz just prior to Larson’s goal … Caswell, Ward and Filmon, all of whom had a goal and a helper, were the three stars … The Rebels defence saw the return of Quentin Bourne from injury and Luke Vlooswyk following the end of his U18 season … Rebels were still without defenceman Elias Carmichael and Mateo Fabrizi and forwards Frantisek Formanek and Carson Latimer … Rebels finish their regular season with a home-and-home this weekend against the Edmonton Oil Kings – Saturday at 7 p.m., at the Peavey Mart Centrium which will see them present their team awards, and Sunday at 4 p.m. in Edmonton.
