Quick start not enough as Rebels lose in Victoria

VICTORIA, BC – The Red Deer Rebels flipped the script Saturday night by scoring the game’s first goal. Then they added a second tally for good measure.

But the quick 2-0 lead went for naught as the Victoria Royals stormed back for a 6-3 win at the Save on Foods Memorial Centre.

It’ll be a quick turnaround for the Rebels as they try again for their first win of their B.C. road trip Sunday against the Vancouver Giants.

STATS STORY

Roan Woodward VIC – 3 goals, 1 assist

Caleb Matthews VIC – 1 goal, 3 assists

Owen DeWitt RD – 1 goal, 1 assist

HOW IT HAPPENED

After allowing first-shot goals to their opponents each of the last three games, the Rebels did it themselves when Owen DeWitt scored in his second-straight game 3:23 into the game as he fired a shot from in close past Royals netminder Ethan Eskit.

Poul Anderson scored on Red Deer’s second shot just 91 seconds later when he finished a 2-on-1 with Cameron Kuzma for his 15th goal of the year.

Victoria got one back before the end of the first period when Caleb Matthews tipped a point shot past Rebels netminder Peyton Shore.

The Royals tied it when Roan Woodward scored 4:34 into period two. It was the first of four-straight goals for Victoria as Woodward struck again at 10:42 of period two, followed by Ashton Brown at 17:13.

After DeWitt was denied on a breakaway in the dying seconds of the period, the Rebels won the ensuing face-off and Jake Missura ripped home a buzzer beater for his long-awaited first WHL goal. Victoria led 4-3 through 40 minutes.

The Royals stole the momentum right back less than a minute into period three when Woodward fired home his third goal of the game. Heath Nelson scored 5:33 into the final frame to round out the scoring on the night.

Victoria outshot Red Deer 33-28 while both teams were 0-for-3 on power plays.

BRANDT THREE STARS

1. Woodward VIC

2. Matthews VIC

3. A. Brown

NOTES

Forward Michael Mikas made his WHL debut for the Rebels after joining the club from the Okotoks Oilers (BCHL) where he had 29 points in 30 games this season … Scratched for Red Deer for tonight’s game were Cole Temple (lower), Cameron Dillard, and Grayden Peterson … attendance for the game was 5,507.

NEXT UP 

The Rebels visit the Vancouver Giants Sunday for a 5 p.m. MT game at the Langley Events Centre (106.7 Rewind Radio, Victory +).