Rebels not looking past Wednesday despite grabbing 3-0 series lead
Rebels 3 Blades 1
The Red Deer Rebels are adamant that they haven’t won anything yet.
The Rebels might be a confident bunch, but they’re not looking beyond Wednesday’s Game 4 of their WHL Eastern Conference Semifinal with the Saskatoon Blades, despite grabbing a 3-0 stranglehold in the best-of-seven set with a 3-1 victory Tuesday at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
Clearly, there’s a difference between confidence and cockiness.
“We know we have to reset here. It’s a hard game, a real hard game,” said Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk. “We have to reset for tomorrow but it’s nice to get the win.”
Tuesday’s outing was similar to the first two in Saskatoon where the Rebels posted 3-1 and 5-2 victories by using their superior size and physicality and taking advantage of their scoring opportunities.
The Rebels ruled the boards throughout the majority of the contest and doled out a good number of heavy hits.
“They’re hard fought games, they’re battles,” said Konowalchuk. “You have to fight for your scoring chances, you just have to keep playing every shift.
“We just have to enjoy this for a quick bit here but we have to be ready for tomorrow.”
The Blades grabbed their first lead of the series when Trevor Wong converted a rebound 5:04 into the second period.
Undaunted, the Rebels responded just under six minutes later as Christoffer Sedoff sped down the left side and fed the puck in front to Frantisek Formanek, who promptly notched his third goal of the playoffs.
“I thought our guys kept playing,” said Konowalchuk of his team’s response. “Just keep playing. Try not to change your game, try not to ride an emotional roller coaster.”
Dwayne Jean Jr., with his first of the post-season, scored the winner late in the middle frame. The speedy winger broke down the right boards and as he directed the puck at the net it appeared to strike a Blades stick.
He didn’t give up on the loose puck, however, swiping it past goaltender Austin Elliott as he rounded the net.
“I don’t even know. I was kind of skating down the line, using my speed like Kono (Konowalchuk) wants me to,” said Jean Jr. “I kind of just threw it on net, it didn’t even get on net and I one-handed, just kind of floated it in. I’ll take those and take it for the team.”
The goal was extra special, he explained.
“I had my mom here. I haven’t got to see her much. My dad’s in the hospital so just to have her here and score my first playoff goal is unbelievable. I just have to say I love here and that was for her.”
The third period was more of the same take-no-prisoners hockey and the outcome wasn’t decided until Kalan Lind, following a turnover at centre ice, skated over the Saskatoon blueline and fired the puck into an empty net with 46 seconds remaining.
The Rebels can put a bow on the series and advance to the conference final against either the Moose Jaw Warriors or Winnipeg Ice with a win Wednesday.
“They’re a good team. For us it’s short term focus, we have to focus on tomorrow,” said Jean Jr. “I feel like all the guys have bought in, from the first line to the fourth line and all the D pairs. Everyone was going tonight and that’s what we need for tomorrow.”
Notable: Jean Jr. appeared to give the Rebels an early lead with a sharp-angle shot a mere 3:48 after the opening faceoff. It was originally ruled a goal but a replay showed the puck glanced off the crossbar. “First shift, I was just trying to get my legs under me,” he said. “For that to happen it’s usually going to be a good game for me after that.” . . . Neither team connected on the power play. The Blades were zero-for-two and the Rebels came up empty on three man advantage opportunities, getting some great looks on their final power play with Ben King twice ringing a shot off iron . . . Elliott made 23 saves for the Blades, including a pair of dazzling pad stops during Red Deer’s first power play. Kyle Kelsey continued to shine in the Red Deer net, making 22 saves while improving his post-season record to 6-0-1. The three stars: (1) Sedoff, (2) Jean Jr. and (3) Rebels forward Craig Armstrong . . . Attendance was 4,654 . . . If a fifth game is needed it will go Friday at Saskatoon’s SaskTel Centre . . . Moose Jaw could be primed for an upset in the other conference semifinal after dumping the favoured Winnipeg Ice 8-4 at home Wednesday. The Warriors lead the series 2-1.
