Rebels snap losing streak with dominant win over Hitmen
Rebels 6 Hitmen 1
If you’re going to snap a prolonged losing steak, you might as well get over the hump with an exclamation point.
The Red Deer Rebels did just that Tuesday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium, posting a convincing 6-1 WHL victory over the Calgary Hitmen before 2,875 fans, putting a halt to a seven-game losing string in the process.
“The biggest thing is we played for 60 minutes,” said Rebels head coach Derrick Walser. “That was the test tonight, we wanted to play a complete game for 60 minutes.
“That’s what’s been killing us of late, we’re getting periods here and there but not a 60 minute effort. Tonight we did a good job.”
The Rebels were in control the whole way, scoring twice in each period. Captain Kai Uchacz led the way with a goal and two assists and Chase Wutzke turned aside 31 shots to post his 16th win of the season.
“A much needed win for us,”said Uchacz. “It was good to get the win, get back in the win column . . . hoping we can keep this thing rolling and build off it.”
Samuel Drancak opened the scoring for the home side, cashing a rebound at 15:40 of the first period during a Rebels power play, and Uchacz potted his 35th of the season from just inside the Calgary blueline, beating a partially screened netminder Ethan Buenaventura in the final minute of the frame.
The Rebels went up 3-0 on another power play marker 5:33 into the middle stanza as Ollie Josephson connected with a quick release from the right circle after accepting a rink wide feed from Hunter Mayo.
Just under four minutes later, Talon Brigley hauled in a centering pass from Josephson and beat Buenaventura from close range.
“I thought we were close to a full 60. A bit in the second there, we were getting a little fancy at times,” said Uchacz. “But I thought the guys responded well. Once we kind of addressed it in the intermission we went out and had a simple third and were able to chip a couple more in.”
Jhett Larson upped the count to 5-0 at 7:30 of the final period, converting a corner pass from Uchacz, before the visitors finally broke through when Ben Kindel scored from a scramble.
Rebels rookie Zane Saab notched his third goal of the season during a late Red Deer power play.
Although he wasn’t overly taxed, Wutzke was stellar nevertheless.
“They had some chances in the third. It’s not easy for him either,” said Walser. “I thought he was strong and confident in the net.”
The Rebels dominated in the special teams department, going three-for-six on the power play and four-for-four on the penalty kill.
“Our special teams, we needed that,” said Walser. “We needed to get some goals, we needed to get some kills. It’s a building block.”
The Rebels return to action Friday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first game of a home-and-home series.
“It’s only one (win) this week, it’s over and now we have to make sure we’re set for tomorrow’s practice and can get ready for Edmonton,” said Walser. “We have a lot of hockey left, a lot of battling and positioning.
“We were on our toes tonight. We were forechecking, we weren’t backing in. That’s what we have to get back to — that’s our game and it was a good building block tonight.”
Notable: Uchacz, the game’s third star, extended his points streak to six games and needs one more goal to become the fifth Rebel in franchise history to reach the 100-goal mark. “I guess I saw that there a week or so ago. It obviously feels good but I couldn’t do it without all my teammates the last three years and the guys we have in the locker room this year,” he said. “I’ll just keep contributing as much as I can and keep this thing going.” . . . Wutzke was named the game’s first star and Larson, with a goal and assist, was selected as the second star . . . Buenaventura made 28 saves for the Hitmen . . . The Rebels will be in Edmonton Friday to face the Oil Kings in the second half of the home and home, and will host the Lethbridge Hurricanes Monday at 2 p.m.
(Photos by Taylor Lachance)
