Rebels blaze past Kamloops 4-2 on Toque and Teddy Bear Night
Once again, a return to home ice proved helpful for the Red Deer Rebels.
An energetic crowd of over 4,700 at the Peavey Mart Centrium cheered on as the Rebels skated to a 4-2 over the visiting Kamloops Blazers on Toque and Teddy Night.
The Rebels improve to a stellar 10-2-1-0 at home this season.
STATS STORY
Chase Wutzke (RD) – 33 saves, assist, win
Talon Brigley (RD) – game winning goal
Emmitt Finnie (KAM) – 1 goal, 1 assist
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rebels and Blazers played to a goalless first period that saw Kamloops outshoot 13-11 only to
The tossing of the teddies began less than three minutes into the second period, thanks to two excellent net drives, the first from Kalan Lind down the left wing, and the second from Trae Wilke, who arrived in front to cash in on Lind’s centering pass and make it 1-0.
Toss the toques and bring on the bears 🧸#RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/BKJonre7Vc
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) December 15, 2024
Red Deer carried their offensive momentum forward, and an excellent passing play between Cohen Poulin, Nolan Schmidt, and Cole Peardon was eventually finished off by Poulin to double the lead.
Poulin makes it two!
The rookie's up to six on the year ⬇️#RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/jbfObifioL
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) December 15, 2024
Kamloops responded with a goal from Ryan Michael before ramping up the pressure and controlling the back half of the middle frame. Red Deer did however maintain their one-goal lead through 40.
Red Deer’s start to the third period couldn’t have been better, with Talon Brigley scoring to make it 3-1 just ten seconds into the period.
ELECTRIC start to the third thanks to Talon Brigley ⚡️#RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/vpIEYC8367
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) December 15, 2024
Jace Weir’s dime of a stretch pass later sprung Matthew Gard in alone for his eighth goal of the year, a power play tally, and a commanding 4-1 Rebels lead.
Scouts, take note📝
Draft-eligible Matthew Gard has four goals in his last three games on home ice 🚨#RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/weOWS6mjkW
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) December 15, 2024
Emmitt Finnie scored in the game’s closing stages, but Wutzke and the Rebels wouldn’t be breached beyond that, leading Red Deer to a 4-2 win.
Kamloops outshot Red Deer 35-26 and was 0-for-2 on the power play while the Rebels were 1-for-3.
Red Deer improved to 15-13-1-2 for 33 points tying them with Swift Current for 5th in the Eastern Conference.
THREE STARS
- Wutzke (RD)
- Wilke (RD)
- Weir (RD)
WHAT THEY SAID
Postgame comments from Rebels head coach Dave Struch…
NOTABLES
Rebels scratches for the game were Samuel Drancak (upper), Ollie Josephson (upper), Kasper Pikkarainen (lower), Jhett Larson (upper), and Jack Bousquet (scratch) … official attendance for the game was 4,725 … all items donated by Rebels fans following Wilke’s game opening goal go to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau.
NEXT UP
The Rebels face Swift Current for their final game before Christmas this Tuesday, December 17 at the Peavey Mart Centrium at 7 p.m. (TICKETS) Central Alberta Co-op is doing a food drive while Cosmos Bottle Depot will also be collecting empties before the game.
