Rebels End Regular Season With A 3-2 Loss To Oil Kings
Prior to battling Edmonton in the final game of the regular season, the Rebels handed out their annual player awards.
106.7 The Drive Rookie of the Year – Rylan Toth
Darcy Robinson Most Underrated Player – Presten Kopeck
Laebon Homes Defenceman of the Year – Kayle Doetzel
Rod Traptow Humanitarian of the Year – Evan Polei
Hampton Inn and Suites Leading Scorer – Riley Sheen
Red Deer Advocate Player’s Award – Kayle Doetzel
Red Deer Bottling Most Valuable Player – Brooks Maxwell
FIRST PERIOD
The Oil Kings started the game strongly and would open the scoring 4:20 in as Brett Pollock beat Rylan Toth for his 32nd goal of the year.
The Rebels tied it up when Presten Kopeck finished off a pretty give-and-go play for a powerplay goal 5:16. Josh Mahura also assisted on Kopeck’s 21st goal of the year.
Edmonton retook a one goal lead when Davis Koch put home his own rebound, after a great save by Toth, for his 11th of the year.
Red Deer tied the game a second time when Adam Musil parked himself crease-side and put home his 15th goal of the year. Maxwell and Haydn Fleury set up the even strength marker that made it a 2-2 game at the 17:58 mark.
SECOND PERIOD
Danish World Juniors star Mads Eller blew past the Rebels defense and beat Rylan Toth for his 8th goal of the year to put Edmonton ahead 3-2 6:52 into the middle frame.
THIRD PERIOD
The Rebels were given a number of late powerplay opportunities, including what ended up being a 6-on-3 with Rylan Toth on the bench, but they were unable to capitalize. Edmonton would hold on for a 3-2 win.
MOLSON CUP THREE STARS
1. Blake Orban EDM
2. Brooks Maxwell RD
3. Mads Eller EDM
HARDEST WORKING REBEL – Conner Bleackley
NOTES – Rebels captain Conner Bleackley suited up for the first time since going down with a groin injury on February 6… Scratches for the Rebels were Austin Strand, Reese Johnson, Wyatt Johnson and Austin Adamson… attendance at the game was 6439
NEXT GAME – PLAYOFFS
Story by Troy Gillard
Photo by Rob Wallator
