Rebels Win 3-2 Over The Pats

The crowd was small but feisty for this game as winter arrived with a vengeance in Central Alberta.  A number of players were taking on their former teams in this particular game.  Brandon Underwood took on the Pats for the second time since coming to Red Deer from Regina.  Colten Mayor and Stephen Hak were back in the Enmax Centrium for the first time since being traded from the Rebels to the Pats just last week.

FIRST PERIOD

The Rebels wasted little time drawing first blood in this one.  Joel Hamilton took the puck hard toward the net, Pats goalie Matt Hewitt made the initial save, but Charles Inglis scooped up the loose puck and put it home for his 10th goal of the season.  Tyson Ness also earned an assist on the goal which came just 1:15 into the game.It certainly appeared as though the home side brought their skating legs to the rink to start this one.  The Rebels had a couple of great scoring chances midway through the period as Turner Elson rang one off the post after a great pass from Matt Bellerive, Hewitt the robbed Cory Millette point blank just seconds later.Patrik Bartosak got the start in net for the Rebels and played a solid opening period, making 10 saves.  The Rebels would take their 1-0 lead into the first intermission along with a 13-10 lead in shots on goal.

SECOND PERIOD

Once again, the Rebels struck very early in the period.  Mathew Dumba led the offensive rush with a drop pass to Turner Elson.  The Captain then found Matt Bellerive streaking toward the net, Bellerive found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.  2-0 Rebels just 49 seconds into the middle period.  Bellerive extends his point streak to three games.Regina responded not long after with their first goal of the game.  Emil Sylvegard tipped Colton Jobke’s shot on its way to the net, Bartosak made the initial save, but Sylvegard stuck with it and put home his own rebound for his first goal of the season.  Colten Mayor earned the second assist on the goal for his first point against his former team.  2-1 Rebels 3:45 into period two.

The scoring chances would dry up for both teams for the next few minutes until Charles took charge once again for the Rebels.  Inglis went hard to the net and banged home a rebound from Hamilton’s shot for his second goal of the game.  Haydn Fleury also assisted on the goal which made it 3-1 for the Rebels at the 11:17 mark of the period.Red Deer appeared to have taken a 4-1 lead late in the period when Cody Thiel’s shot, after a scramble in the Pats goal crease, crossed the goal line beneath Matt Hewitt.  However, video review determined it was no goal, keeping it 3-1 Rebels.

In a fine showcase of Murphy’s Law, the Pat would score a goal of their own not long after.  Kade Pilton let loose with an absolute rocket of a shot from the top of the faceoff circle, no chance for Bartosak.  Pilton’s first goal of the season, assisted by Dyson Stevenson and Luke Fenske, came at the 18:42 mark.  3-2 Rebels through two periods.  Shots 27-18 favouring Red Deer.

THIRD PERIOD

Not a real plethora of scoring chances for either team to start the third period which, with them holding a one goal lead, definitely played to the Rebels’ advantage.  Charles Inglis’ bid for the hat trick took a tough blow when he, along with Trent Ouelette of the Pats, was sent off with a 10 minute misconduct with just over 13 minutes remaining.  Still trailing by a goal in the final minute, the Pats pulled Matt Hewitt in favour of the extra attacker.  Lane Scheidl had a shot on net off of an offensive zone faceoff, Bartosak handled it easily.  That’s as close as the Pats would come.  The Rebels held on for a 3-2 win, just their second win on home ice this season, to get back to the .500 mark for the season (7-7-1-1).

MOLSON CUP THREE STARS
1.  Inglis RD
2.  Elson  RD
3.  Hewitt REG

HARDEST WORKING REBEL – Cody Thiel

NEXT GAME… The Rebels host the Kelowna Rockets at the Enmax Centrium this Friday night at 7:30pm.  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

By Troy Gillard