Today’s Gameday Preview: Tuesday February 26th, 2019

DUBNetwork Feature game of the night: Rebels @ Warriors 7 PM CST

The Moose Jaw Warriors will play host to a struggling Red Deer Rebels team who at one point looked to be cemented into the playoffs. Things have changed dramatically for the Rebels. These teams meet for their fourth time tonight, Moose Jaw leads the season series by a 2-1 count, and have not lost in regulation against the Rebels this season.

The Red Deer Rebels (29-24-4-1) will be happy to kiss the month of February goodbye as they look to get back into the playoff discussion which isn’t quite out of their reach but could be soon without an adjustment. The Rebels only have one win this month so far, no regulation win since January 25th. Something that has to be alarming considering the team was in the discussion to be division winners before Christmas. The Rebels come into tonight riding a five game losing streak, and most recently a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday (LINK). The Rebels also sit out of a playoff spot by just two points at this point.

DUBNetwork’s Paul Figler reported a lengthy meeting in the locker room after the last game (FULL ARTICLE).

Reese Johnson-Liam Keeler (Andy Devlin)

Lots of familiar faces have been ice cold over this whole month, Reese Johnson has been one of those players who has struggled to score recently. Seemingly contributing on a semi-regular basis prior this month, he comes into tonight not having a single point in his last four games. Being an overager, Johnson needs to be contributing on a Rebels team not incredibly filled with offense. The Saskatoon native is having a career high season in the points column, but for a struggling Rebels team it’s just not enough.

The Moose Jaw Warriors (34-16-6-2) are kind of on the opposite end of trends than their opponent tonight. The Warriors are standing tall right now on a three-game winning streak with four wins in their last five games. The club has also had Red Deer’s number this season, as they’ve rolled over the Rebels in back to back meetings dating back to December 1st. The Warriors are in a nice spot right now, with a comfortable lead over their nearest neighbor in the divisional standings, and not in the shooting range to take over their upstairs neighbours in the Saskatoon Blades.

Brayden Tracey (photo-Marc Smith)

Warriors forward Brayden Tracey had quite the week in the eyes of the Western Hockey League, earning him the WHL Player of the Week Award. Mentioned in the latest Daily Dose of the Dub article (LINK) , Tracey posted 11 points in his last four games (6G, 5A). The draft eligible has 73 points in 58 games played this season, and is drawing the eyes of scouts as well as his draft stock continues to rise.

Expected in goal:

  • Byron Fancy (RD) 3.143 GAA, .899 SV%- Fancy came in relief of Anders in the last game to finish off the last half of the third period.
  • Brodan Salmond (MJ) 2.751 GAA, .905 SV%- Is having a career season between the pipes, has not allowed more than two goals in his last four starts.

Other games to watch:

FINAL– Swift Current (10-42-3-2) 1 @ Edmonton Oil Kings (34-18-4-4) 11

  • The Oil Kings Annual ‘Hooky for Hockey’ game was a smash hit for thousands of school children as you can guarantee they’ll be singing the Oil Kings goal song for weeks to come.
  • Edmonton also extended its three game winning streak to four thanks to a win in this contest.

Lethbridge Hurricanes (32-17-5-5) @ Saskatoon Blades (38-14-8-0)

  • Saskatoon looks to stay sharp at home, and ride on the stellar 8-1-1-0 record in their last ten coming into this one.

Spokane Chiefs (31-19-2-5) @ Prince George Cougars (17-36-4-3)

  • Spokane is trying to stay ahead of the surging Tri-City Americans who have caught up to the Chiefs in the standings, although the Chiefs do have a game in hand.