Rebels Get Point
Medicine Hat, AB – The Red Deer Rebels came into Friday’s game against Medicine Hat with a three point lead in the Central Division. With a potential four points swing this game was important to both teams heading into the game. Medicine Hat felt good heading into the game having won four of the five meetings so far this season.
Neither team wanted to give up an early lead so the first 20 minutes was played with caution. The teams battled back and forth but neither team was able to take the early lead. Both teams had opportunities on the power play but the first intermission began with a scoreless tie.
The Tigers’ power play was put to work throughout the second period. The power play unit was given four opportunities but was only able to capitalize on one late in the period. Linden Vey scored his team leading 45th goal of the season. Kellan Tochkin and Emerson Etem moved the puck around in the offensive zone before feeding Vey at the point for a wrister that beat Darcy Kuemper top shelf. The goal was the lone of the period and gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead and momentum heading into the final frame.
Both teams found their scoring touch in the third period. Red Deer tied up the game early in the third on a goal by Andrej Kudrna. It didn’t take long for the Tigers to respond and get the fans back out of their seats. Reid Petryk scored less than 30 seconds later to restore the Tigers lead. The third period featured some great back and forth action and the crowd loved every minute of it. Midway through the period the Tigers received what the fans considered a questionable goaltender interference penalty. The Rebels wasted no time on the power play scoring shortly into the man advantage. John Persson scored his 33rd of the season to even the score at 2-2. Despite a number of chances neither team could add another before the end of regulation.
Overtime was exciting and nerve racking for the home fans. Each team came close to finishing the game but both goaltenders stood tall. With only seconds left it looked like the game was heading to a shootout. But with only 12 seconds remaining Linden Vey scored his second of the game to seal the victory for the hometown team. The win brought the Tigers a point closer the division leading Rebels and gave the Tigers a 5-1-0-0 season series win.
