The Red Deer Rebels spoiled the Edmonton Oil Kings home opener on Sunday night with a third period surge to take the game 5-3 on the second night of a weekend back to back between the two teams.
The Oil Kings came out strong in the first period, nestling two goals in the first five minutes of the game and really applying pressure to the Red Deer Rebels defense. The first goal coming from Trey Fix-Wolansky on the power play off a one-time cross ice pass from Davis Koch at the 16:43 mark of the first. Wolansky also opened the Oil Kings home scoring last season. This was the first shot Petersen faced. Just over a minute later Kobe Mohr buries a shot off the draw past Petersen on the Oil Kings second shot of the game. A well-executed faceoff win by Atkinson set up Mohr for a clean shot to get off. The Rebels finally got on the board with beautiful power play goal from 20-year-old Mason McCarthy, just a well-executed possessed zone entry by Pawlenchuk and a beautiful quick move by McCarthy to open a shooting lane around the defender. Shots in the first were 9-5 for the Rebels.
The Oil Kings were in great shape after the first, and opened the second with a power play opportunity less than a minute in but failed to capitalize. They later were able to score once again on special teams with a Ty Gerla battle in front that saw the puck go off a defender’s skate and behind Petersen. Late in the period the Rebels get a crucial one back on an open feed to Brandon Hagel from Mason McCarthy. Shots after the second remained in Red Deer’s favour at 21-16.
The Rebels started the third period on the power play after a cross checking minor to end the second. They were able to capitalize early on a rebound that found the stick of Reese Johnson. They continued to find ways to score. Another power play goal nearing the midway point of the third from newest acquisition Jared Dmytriw who had an easy tap in on the power play once again. Late in the period the Oil Kings continued to apply pressure but after a shot block from Hagel and a break away empty net goal, they game was all but over. Final shot tally was 32-21 for the Rebels.
Game Notes:
Leaving that game, the Oil Kings had the opportunity to take the win, they were able to score quickly and early on Petersen. Kobe Mohr had a great 39:59 of this game, he was creating in the offensive zone and playing with confidence. Child had a strong start to the game and made some big saves to keep the Oil Kings in it. Robertson seemed to gain confidence as the game progressed and he was a huge piece to the Oil Kings transitional game. Unfortunately for the Oil Kings, untimely and undisciplined penalties were the ultimate demise once again. The Rebels went three for five on the power play and the Oil Kings really struggled to take away high percentage chances. They also need to start getting more shots on net, they had the chances to get some things to net and build from there but often couldn’t get the shots through, 21 total shots aren’t going to win you many hockey games. It will be interesting to see if there are some line-up changes in the next few games. The Fix-Wolansky and Koch connection seems to be working. The Oil Kings next home game is on Friday September 29th against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
