Rebels suffer overtime loss to Wild
RED DEER – The Wenatchee Wild visited Red Deer on Tuesday for the lone matchup of the year between the two clubs, as the Rebels look to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot.
It was a low-scoring affair through two periods before both teams came alive in the third period, scoring three goals apiece to force overtime, guaranteeing at least a point for Red Deer.
Wenatchee won it 5-4, but with their point, the Rebels are now two clear of Moose Jaw for eighth place in the WHL Eastern Conference.
“It was difficult game, we knew it would be,” said Rebels head coach Marc Habscheid. “They (Wild) work hard, they compete, and we knew that and they didn’t disappoint.”
Stats Story:
Kohen Lodge (RD) – 2 goals
Beckett Hamilton (RD) – 2 assists
Mason Kraft (WEN) – 2 goals, overtime winner
How it Happened:
Kohen Lodge opened the scoring just 2:30 into the first period, depositing home a rebound from Grayden Peterson’s shot.
Mason Kraft tied it with a lucky one midway through period two as his power play point shot bounced off of two Rebels defenders and past goalie Matthew Kondro.
Another rebound popped loose in the third period, this time it was Cameron Kuzma who would direct the puck into the net, giving the Rebels a 2-1 lead just 1:33 into the final frame.
Four minutes later Wenatchee came back to tie it again as former Rebel Zane Torre deflected a point shot past Kondro. The Wild took their first lead of the night 7:27 into the final period as Caelan Jourdrey put home a rebound, making it a 3-2 game.
Poul Andersen struck for his 21st of the season to tie it back up at 3-3 at 11:36 of the third period, as he found some space in front of the net and threaded the needle.
Lodge struck for his second of the night, tipping home a pass from Beckett Hamilton along the wall, putting the Rebels up 4-3 with just 4:24 to play in the third.
But Wenatchee came right back down the ice and tied the game at 4-4 just 42 seconds later as Aiden Grossklaus scored his 15th of the season, forcing the game to overtime.
Mason Kraft’s second of the night would be the overtime winner for Wenatchee, as he snapped a shot past Kondro 1:46 into the extra frame.
“We wish we would have gotten two (points). Probably didn’t deserve two, but we got one, which was a big point for sure,” said Habscheid.
Brandt Three Stars:
1. Mason Kraft (WEN)
2. Kohen Lodge (RD)
3. Caelan Joudrey (WEN)
What They Said:
Marc Habscheid
Notes:
Lodge earned his first career two-goal game … Rebels defenceman Aleksey Chichkin left the game late period two after crashing into the boards and did not return … Defenceman Cameron Dillard and forward Tyson Yaremko (upper) were scratched for this one … The Rebels are now 0-3 versus Wenatchee since the Wild franchise relocated from Winnipeg.
Next up:
The Brandon Wheat Kings visit the Marchant Crane Centrium on Friday for RE/MAX Presents: Be a Superhero for Children’s Miracle Network. The night will be jam-packed with action on and off the ice as fans can bid on superhero-themed game-worn Rebels jerseys and capes in support of Alberta Children’s Hospital.
