Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator
Eastern Division, Game Recap

Red Deer wins high scoring affair Saturday night

Written by Chris Clark on

 

Two third-period power-play goals were the difference as Red Deer takes home a high-scoring affair on Saturday night. The Pats’ penalty problems cost them again as they couldn’t kill off two late power-plays. The second goal was under intense scrutiny, after a lengthy delay it was determined a good goal.

“He (referee Chris Crich) thought the puck crossed the line on the ice, so he guessed at that because clearly on the replay, it didn’t cross the line. Since it was called on the ice a goal, they (video review) can’t reverse that.”

-Pats Assistant Coach Brad Herauf

Coming into Saturday’s match-up the Pats were 19-25-1-1, after a Friday night 6-3 loss in Edmonton to the Oil Kings. The Rebels were riding a three-game win streak after beating the visiting Prince Albert Raiders 3-2 Friday night, for an overall record of 32-15-2-1.

Red Deer opened the scoring at 6:14 of the first period, Jace Isley grabbed a loose puck and ripped one home over Drew Sim’s shoulder from the top of the circle for his 11th of the season.

 

Rebels pick up a second goal late in the period as Kai Uchacz bangs home his own rebound after being left alone in the slot. Uchacz’s 10th came with 3:06 remaining in the period.

Shots after the first period were 16-6 in favor of the Rebels. When the Rebels lead after the first period they have a record of 18-2-1.

The Pats got the scoring started early in the second period as the power-play struck 1:17 into the period. The power-play carried over as Ben King took a penalty real late in the first period.

Connor Bedard took the puck in the high slot and made no mistake as he put home his 33rd of the season. Bedard has been unstoppable in that spot as of late.

The second period was tilted in the Pats’ favor buoyed by the early power-play goal and another power-play later. Ben King took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he challenged Luke Bateman to fight after Bateman’s big hit on Arshdeep Bains but the Pats were unable to convert on it. Shortly after though Ryker Evans evened up the score with a great shot after Bedard found him streaking down the wing. Evans’ collected his 13th 8:26 into the period.

“The first 10 minutes (of the first period) wasn’t great I thought we started playing really good towards the end of that period, and I think we carried into the second period. They’re a big strong team, they got a style hockey that kind of contrasts to what we are right now with the lineup. I  think we started skating, started put puck races into the game. I think we started turning the game into more our style.”

-Brad Herauf

The Pats fourth line was the next to get on the board and gave them the lead. Zane Rowan won a faceoff deep in the Rebels zone and was able to bang home a rebound off the Layton Feist point shot. Rowan now has goals in back-to-back games. Rowan’s fourth gave the Pats their first lead less than three minutes after Evans’ goal.

“I think Zane’s played really good hockey for a while now and before he got a shoulder hurt I thought he started to turn a corner. He put a lot of work and skating wise with Kenny (Schneider) when he was hurt and now he’s come back flying.”

-Brad Herauf

Despite the tilted ice, the Rebels were able to get on the board. The Pats were unable to clear the zone for a lengthy shift and Ben King snuck the puck under Drew Sim, somehow, to give him his 40th, the first player this season to hit the mark.

The Pats were not to be outdone and responded just 1:24 later at the 19:25 mark of the period, Adam McNutt, the defenceman playing his third game at forward due to injuries, tipped home a pass by Stanislav Svozil to give the Pats the lead heading to the final break. It was just McNutt’s second goal of the year.

Despite the one sided play the Rebels out shot the Pats 12-11 in the period. The Pats were 16-0 when leading after two periods.

The Pats played an excellent first half of the third period until an unfortunate penalty was taken. The Rebels capitalized on the opportunity. Liam Keeler jumped on a rebound and promptly deposited his 22nd into the net to tie up the game at 10:14 of the third period.

The Pats then took another penalty and the Rebels apparently scored a goal. After a lengthy video review, it was determined inconclusive, but since it was called a good goal on the ice the goal stood. Replays on the broadcast did not show the puck crossing or not crossing the line. Ben King was credited with his 41st at 12:44 of the period.

The Pats were unable to mount another comeback and Red Deer secured the win with an empty-net goal by Arshdeep Bains with 17 seconds remaining.

 

“Lots of guys are really pulling the rope right now. I think that Matteo Michels really stepped up and even Adam McNutt playing forward has stepped up. Whitehead, all our young guys, (I’ve) been very impressed with everybody in the way that forward group has held together here. These kids are playing more minutes than they have in their junior career. I think the way that we continue to fight and don’t give up in games is something I’m very proud of.

-Brad Herauf

 

Pats Stats

The ever-changing Pats lineup saw forwards Borya Valis and Cole Dubinsky sit out, but Jakob Brook drew in, giving the Pats a short lineup, down a forward. It was Brook’s first game since Jan 29th.

The three stars of the game were Ben King, Connor Bedard, and Christoffer Sedoff.

Drew Sim stopped 33-of-38 shots for the Pats. The Rebels’ Chase Coward made 18 saves on 22 shots.

The Pats went one-for-three on the power-play and two-for-four on the penalty kill.

Ryker Evans stays hot as he has scored 7 goals in the past 10 games.

Connor Bedard keeps streaking up the points table with his 16th multi-point game in his last 21 games played. He is now tied for fifth in goals scored and 12th in total points.