Jean Jr. scores in overtime, Rebels get pre-season win over Hitmen
Rebels 5 Hitmen 4 (OT)
SIKSIKA FIRST NATION — The Red Deer Rebels consistently battled from behind Friday, then got their lone go-ahead goal when it mattered most — in overtime.
Dwayne Jean Jr. scored at 2:55 of extra time to give the Rebels a 5-4 win over the Calgary Hitmen in the first WHL pre-season game for both teams at the Siksika Deerfoot Sportsplex.
“We came out really nervous, which is normal,” said Rebels head coach Derrick Walser. “Both teams were nervous, they had a bunch of young guys dressed too.
“But they came out on their toes and we came out a little nervous.”
Hitmen defenceman Wyatt Pisarcyk notched the lone goal of the opening period — on the power play — before Jeramiah Roberts evened the count early in the second frame.
Benjamin Kindel restored Calgary’s lead at the 7:30 mark, but Samuel Drancak, on the power play, pulled the Rebels even just over three minutes later. Keets Fawcett gave Calgary a 3-2 lead shortly after and the score held through the remainder of the period.
After being outshot 11-7 in the first period, the Rebels held a 13-12 advantage in the second and outshot their hosts 16-9 in the third period while outscoring the Hitmen 2-1.
“Once we started getting our composure we started playing OK,” said Walser “Then we just ground it out. We found a way to tighten things up, got a lot of big blocks and an unbelievable goalie performance.”
Rebels defenceman Quentin Bourne connected at 8:17 of the third period, but the Hitmen replied once again on a goal from Maxim Muranov.
Rebels 15-year-old forward Beckett Hamilton converted a breakaway sprung by a perfect feed from Bourne at the 11:53 mark to force overtime.
“I thought he played pretty well,” Walser said of Bourne, who’s expected to play a larger role during his second season in Red Deer after being used sparingly as a rookie.
“But it’s a process and there are going to be ups and downs. I thought he played solid tonight. He was moving his feet and moving the puck hard and he has a great shot which he should use more.”
Jean Jr., with a goal and an assist, and defenceman Nicholas Andrusiak, with a pair of helpers, also had two points each for the winners, while 16-year-old Taylor Tabashniuk stopped 28 of 32 shots.
Alex Garrett started in the Hitmen net and blocked 18 of 20 shots while veteran Ethan Buenaventura turned aside 14 of 17.
All in all, Walser was pleased with his team’s performance.
“There are some areas we want to clean up, but again, I threw a lot of information out over the last week,” he said. “I expect highs and lows but I thought our effort tonight . . . from top to bottom, the kids gave us everything.
“I’m proud of them.”
Just notes: Both teams were one-for-three on the power play . . . The Rebels host the Edmonton Oil Kings in their second pre-season contest Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
Tonight’s game winning goal scorer – Dwayne Jean Jr. #RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/Y9QzNYG561
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 9, 2023
Head Coach Derrick Walser chats after his first game behind the Rebels bench#RDREBELS I #WHL pic.twitter.com/4FrhLTEuYs
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 9, 2023
