Stoesser stands tall, Rebels earn second-straight win over Tigers
Rhett Stoesser was rock solid in his second start of the season as the Red Deer Rebels went into Co-op Place in Medicine Hat and defeated the Tigers 4-3 for their second-straight win over their southern rivals.
Red Deer improves to 2-0-1-0 on the young season while the Tigers drop to 1-2-0-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Medicine Hat opened the scoring just over five minutes in as Jonas Woo walked in and went bar down past Rhett Stoesser.
The Rebels responded a mere 23 seconds later as captain Ollie Josephson snapped one past Ethan McCallum for his first goal of the season.
His first goal as our Captain 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KPdiXInzbY
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 29, 2024
Nine minutes later, Cohen Poulin slid home his first WHL goal, set up nicely by a turnover forced by Jeramiah Roberts.
Cohen Poulin tucks his first @TheWHL goal🚨 pic.twitter.com/ng0TEdFgaw
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 29, 2024
Red Deer added a power play goal midway through the second period as Jace Weir ripped home a one-timer for his first of the year and a 3-1 Rebels lead through 40 minutes. The goal spelled the end of the night for McCallum as he was replaced by Jordan Switzer after allowing three goals on 11 shots.
Bombs away 💣 pic.twitter.com/Rs4r4U4b0r
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 29, 2024
Medicine Hat made it a one-goal game again early in the third as Andrew Basha capped off a three-way passing play for a power play tally.
But once again the Rebels had a response as a little over three minutes later, Talon Brigley backhanded home his first goal of the season and a 4-2 Red Deer lead.
Brigley with the backhand dart 🎯 pic.twitter.com/IuOC1eX8Hk
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 29, 2024
Hayden Harsanyi beat Stoesser with a backhander a few minutes after that to once again bring the Tigers within one.
Medicine Hat pulled the goalie with two minutes left to play, then Red Deer took a penalty leading to a 6-on-4. But Stoesser and the Rebels shut the door to hold on for the win.
STATS STORY
Rhett Stoesser (G, RD) – 37 saves
Ollie Josephson (C, RD) – 1 goal, 1 assist
Shane Smith (LW, MH) – 2 assists
Shots on goal – MH 40, RD 22
Power Plays – RD 1-for-3, MH 1-for-6
THREE STARS
- Stoesser (RD)
- Josephson (RD)
- Woo (MH)
WHAT THEY SAID
Rebels lead coach Dave Struch shared his thoughts on the win.
Coach Struch on tonight’s 4-3 win in
Medicine Hat #RDREBELS I #WHL pic.twitter.com/3BaWUgvKUs— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) September 29, 2024
POTENT NOTABLES
The Rebels have nine goals this season from nine different goal scorers … Kalan Lind missed the game due to injury while rookie Steven Steranka made his regular season debut … Attendance at Co-op Place was 4089.
NEXT UP
The Rebels and Tigers tangle one more time next Friday, October 4 back at the Peavey Mart Centrium at 7 p.m. (TICKETS). The following night (Saturday, Oct. 5) the Rebels host the Calgary Hitmen.
