Ice Edge Rebels 4-3
Already the fifth meeting of the season between these Central Division rivals, the Rebels came into this one with a 3-0-0-1 record versus Kootenay.
FIRST PERIOD
The Rebels opened the scoring in this one when Dominik Volek capped off a pretty 3-on-2 rush by scoring his 8th goal of the season. Volek blasted a one-timer past Ice goaltender Wyatt Hoflin. Haydn Fleury set up the goal, along with Matt Bellerive, at 9:26, 1-0 Rebels.
A malfunction at the junction behind the Ice net led to Adam Musil stealing the puck and setting up Evan Polei for his 2nd goal of the campaign at 12:53, 2-0 Rebels.
Kootenay cut their deficit in half with a powerplay goal at 16:39. Jagger Dirk took a pass from Luke Philp and blasted a one-timer of his own past Patrik Bartosak from the right faceoff dot. Jaedon Descheneau also assisted on Dirk’s goal, his 3rd of the season, making it a 2-1 game.
SECOND PERIOD
With two Rebels in the sin bin the Ice got back on even terms early in the middle frame. This time it was Philp blasting a one-timer past Bartosak for his 8th of the year. Tim Bozon and Dirk set up the 5-on-3 goal at 4:31, 2-2 game.
The Rebels got in on the powerplay action to regain a one goal lead. And it was another one-timer from Volek doing the deed. The Czech forward blasted home his 9th of the year, Rhyse Dieno and Brooks Maxwell with the helpers, at 6:36 to make it 3-2 for Red Deer.
Kootenay tied the game again just less than six minutes later. After a turnover behind the Rebels net, Zak Zborosky went top shelf from just outside the crease for his 3rd of the season, Matt Alfaro with the assist, at 12:32. The Rebels and Ice found themselves tied 3-3.
THIRD PERIOD
The Ice gained their first lead of the game thanks to a solid play by Sam Reinhart, who made a nice play along the boards before finding Tim Bozon open in the Rebels slot. The former Kamloops Blazer went up high on Bartosak for his 7th of the season, Landon Cross also assisting on the goal, at 8:36 to put Kootenay up 4-3. The Ice would hold on from there to pull out the road victory.
MOLSON CUP THREE STARS
1. Jagger Dirk KOOT
2. Dominik Volek RD
3. Tim Bozon KOOT
HARDEST WORKING REBEL – Rhyse Dieno
NOTES – Red Deer Optimist Chiefs (Alberta Midget Hockey League) goaltender Jayden Sittler was called up by Kootenay and took over in net for the Ice after the Rebels third goal of the game… Former Rebels goaltender Kraymer Barnstable, currently with the Red Deer College Kings, joined Cam Moon in the radio broadcast booth as colour commentator.
NEXT GAME – The Rebels host the Regina Pats at the Enmax Centrium Friday night at 7pm. Tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster.
By Troy Gillard
