Rebels drop overtime heartbreaker in Saskatoon
The Red Deer Rebels did a lot of good things Friday night in Saskatoon and appeared on the verge of ending their lengthy losing streak.
It wasn’t to be, however, as the Saskatoon Blades scored three unanswered goals for a 4-3 overtime win over the Rebels at SaskTel Centre.
The Rebels are now 2-0-2 when facing the Blades this season while three of the four match-ups have required extra time.
STATS STORY
Brett Calhoon (RD) – 2 goals
Cooper Williams (SASK) – 2 goals, 1 assist
Hayden Harsanyi (SASK) – game winner
Chase Wutzke (RD) – 30 saves
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ty Coupland earned his first goal in Rebels threads in the opening minutes of the contest. As Matthew Gard lead the charge to the offensive zone, he passed the puck up to Coupland who let it go to beat Saskatoon goaltender Evan Gardner 2:01 into period one.
We like it, we love it! #RDREBELS | #WHL https://t.co/lWgIhBYvxb
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 18, 2025
The lead was shortlived as soon after, Saskatoon went on the powerplay. Rowan Calvert won the draw back to Graydon Siepmann whose shot found the back of the net past a screened Wutzke.
With the Rebels shorthanded on a five-minute penalty kill, another newcomer stole the show as Brett Calhoon knocked a Blades pass out of midair and snapped it passed Gardner. After a lengthy video review, Calhoon was confirmed with his first goal with the Rebels in his second game with the team.
"I'll take that." – Brett Calhoon, probably. #RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/1GUhHvzaMK
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 18, 2025
Calhoon struck again early in period two as his wrister from the point cut through traffic and past Gardiner at the 3:07 mark.
Brett Calhoon 🔥#RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/j0YaIxKDp5
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 18, 2025
Saskatoon’s Cooper Williams took the game over in period three, first deflecting a David Lewandoski point shot through the five hole of Wutzke to make it a one-goal game.
Then with the Blades on the powerplay, Williams drove the net and slid home a saucer pass for his second on the night and a 3-3 tie.
Wutzke then took his turn in the spotlight, making several scintillating saves to push the game to overtime.
The Wutzke wall ⬇️#RDREBELS | #WHL pic.twitter.com/Mxcmkbjx9I
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 18, 2025
Just 56 seconds into overtime, Williams took the puck inside the Blades blue line and sprung Hayden Harsanyi on a breakaway for the game winner.
THREE STARS
- Williams (SASK)
- Calhoon (RD)
- Harsanyi (SASK)
NOTABLES
Not in the lineup for the Rebels were Jack Bousquet (scratch), Kalan Lind (upper), Ollie Josephson (lower), Jhett Larson (upper) and Peyton Shore (upper) … defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk played his 250th career regular season game … Red Deer is now 0-8-3-0 in its last 11 games while Saskatoon ended a three-game winless streak … attendance at SaskTel Centre was 4247.
NEXT UP
The Prince Albert Raiders are next on the Rebels schedule as they head to the Art Hauser Centre for a 6 p.m. MT puck drop Saturday. (106.7 REWIND Radio, CHL TV).