No love lost in Rebels 3-1 victory over Edmonton
Valentine’s Day was anything but a lovefest between the Red Deer Rebels and Edmonton Oil Kings Friday night at the Peavy Mart Centrium as the Rebels muscled up a 3-1 win over their rivals from the north.
Fluid chemistry coupled with physical play elevated the Rebels to their victory with Samuel Drancak, Kalan Lind and Talon Brigley each putting up a goal rewarding a superb goaltending performance frum Chase Wutzke.
The story continues between the Rebels and Oil Kings as the two teams meet again Monday afternoon in Red Deer.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Gavin Hodnett scored the lone of the first period for Edmonton just five seconds into an Oil Kings powerplay.
From then on, the Rebels turned up the heat.
Early in period two, Samuel Drancak picked up a pass from Doogan Pederson deep in his own zone, skated end-to-end and went bar-down on Edmonton netminder Alex Worthington to nod the game at 1-1.
This Valentines Day be like Drancak, shoot your shot. #RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/JIwnf2U1pO
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) February 15, 2025
Late in the period, Luke Vlooswyk released a rocket from the blue line, leading Worthington to kick out a big rebound for Kalan Lind to bury for his seventh of the season.
We'll take Lind goals over chocolate any day. #RDREBELS | #WHL | @PredsNHL pic.twitter.com/V9NHmLojv0
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) February 15, 2025
Heading to the third with a one-goal lead, the Rebels battled through the 20 minutes. Chase Wutzke rose to the occasion, closing the door 12 times in the final frame to round out a 25-save game.
Wutzke is always there for us. 🫶#RDREBELS | #WHL | @mnwild pic.twitter.com/OpSreeD40H
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) February 15, 2025
Just over a minute to go, Jhett Larson connected with Talon Brigley for the empty net goal.
Tension boiled over between the two teams as the final horn sounded. With 16 roughing penalties assessed to close out the game, the Rebels denied two of three powerplay opportunities throughout the 60, while the Oil Kings kept the Rebels at bay all three chances.
THREE STARS
1. Wutzke (RD)
2. Vlooswyk (RD)
3. L. Sawchyn (EDM)
WHAT THEY SAID
Rebels head coach Dave Struch…
Rebels captain Ollie Josephson…
NOTES
Out of the line-up for the Rebels were Jace Weir (upper), Jaxon Fuder (upper), Brett Calhoon, and Dmitri Toporowski … Red Deer ended a nine-game losing streak versus Edmonton dating back to January 2024 … attendance for the game was 3,712
NEXT UP
It’s Sockey Day in Red Deer in partnership with United Way Central Alberta! The Rebels are in for a rematch against the Oil Kings on Monday, February 17 at 2 P.M., and fans are invited to bring new socks for families in need across central Alberta, and to stick around for the postgame Paint the Ice presented by Nova Chemicals (TICKETS).
