A better effort

Tonight’s game between the Calgary Hitmen (3-7-1-0) and the Red Deer Rebels (6-4-0-0) was witnessed by 4190 lucky souls as the home side put together one of their best efforts of this early season.

Just 31 seconds into the game, Lane Zablocki scored right off of a Jared Dmytriw faceoff win, to the left of Calgary goalie Nick Schneider. It would be the Rebels first shot of the game and give them the very early 1-0 lead. That would be Zablocki’s second goal of the season.

When asked about the early start, head coach Brent Sutter was hesitant to say it set the tone for the evening, “You know it’s hard to say, there’s lot’s of games where you score early like that and then you fight it the rest of the night.”

The first seven and a half minutes of the period was all Rebels as the team continued to create chances after scoring the games first goal. The chances were high quality, but some unlucky bounces kept the score 1-0.

While there were not a lot of penalties called in the game, the Rebels did take the first minor about eight minutes in. The penalty kill was in top form as they were plugging up the entry to the zone and dumping the puck down the ice with precision. When the Hitmen did finally make their way into the zone on chip and chases, the Rebels players battled to get the puck off their sticks and back down the ice.

The first period would end with the Rebels holding that one goal lead on the Hitmen. Despite a period dominated by Rebel chances, the Hitmen lead the shots 10-9.

The second period was very quick in real time but actually very slow paced. The teams would exchange zone entries and board battles but nothing really developed in terms of chances except for one Red Deer Rebels chance. Brandon Hagel and Mason McCarty both blew by three Calgary players, on their way to the net.  Schneider played the puck in this case and Hagel put a perfect pass across the crease for McCarty to tip into the wide open cage for his ninth goal of the year. Kristian Reichel picked up another assist and the Rebels lead was 2-0.

Despite a power play that headed into the contest at a 24.4% clip, the Rebels were unable to score on their lone power play of the game when Mark Kastelic would go off for high-sticking. They would also go 1-for-1 on the penalty kill.

 

The action would crank back up in the third period. Another quick start for the Rebels would see Chris Douglas clang a partial breakaway chance off the post just 90 seconds into the final stanza. Less than 30 seconds later, third-year forward, Austin Pratt, would score his third of the season on a quick wraparound. The puck would slip right just under Schneider’s pads. Chris Douglas would pick up an assist, his second point on the year.

With 12:25 to go in regulation, Grayson Pawlenchuk would score a hard-working goal. Grayson battled to get in front of the net, beating Jake Bean to the cross crease pass from Jared Dmytriw and potting the puck into an empty net. That goal would extend the captain’s point streak to four games and put the Rebels up 4-0.

The shutout bid for Ethan Anders would come to an end when the Rebels would get hemmed into their own zone. A point shot from Jake Bean would create a scramble in front of the net. The Hitmen would capitalize on the misplay as Tristan Nielsen beat Anders to the blocker side on a low shot. It would be the 22nd shot he would face on the night. After the game Grayson Pawlenchuk had this to say about Anders, “He definitely stood on his head there, he made a couple of big saves for us so it was definitely nice to have.”

Just over eight minutes to go in the third, Luke Coleman was caught in his own zone and headed straight to the bench and down the tunnel. He was not noticed on the Hitmen bench for the duration of the contest.

The Hitmen would make the final score a respectable one, Drea Esposito would score his first WHL goal with just 32 ticks left on the clock to make the game 4-2. Red Deer would out shoot Calgary on this night 31-26.

Rebel Yell… The Rebels would sweep the three stars on this night as they were awarded to Austin Pratt, Brandon Hagel and Ethan Anders. After 10 games, the Rebels have yet to see any defensemen score a goal. The Rebels’ Austin Pratt would end the night with five shots on goal while Luke Coleman would have four for the Hitmen. Riley Lamb, Dawson Martin and Alexander Alexeyev all remain on the Rebels injured list, all are listed as week-to-week. Red Deer will host the Prince George Cougars tomorrow night at 7Pm at the Enmax Centrium. Calgary will then host the same Cougars on Sunday at 4PM at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.