Red Deer Rebels advance to Second Round of 2024 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien
The Red Deer Rebels are advancing to the Second Round of the WHL Playoffs for a third-straight season.
The Rebels downed the Medicine Hat Tigers in five games (5-4 2OT, 1-3, 4-3 OT, 3-2, and 5-1).
Three of the five matches were decided by a single goal, but Red Deer erupted for a 5-2 performance in a series-clinching Game 5.
Dwayne Jean Jr.’s first tally of the postseason stood as the game-winner and 2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Chase Wutzke held down the Rebel’s crease by stopping 25 of 27 shots.
Dwayne Jean Jr. makes scoring goals look so seamless!@Rebelshockey | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/p5k6EYEMlK
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 6, 2024
Wutzke closed out the series with a 3-1-0 record, a 2.59 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Red Deer’s Carson Latimer led all skaters in the series with four goals while Nashville Predators prospect Kalan Lind netted two key game-winning goals- the double-overtime winner in Game 1 and a buzzer-beater in the third period of Game 4.
The Rebels will face the Saskatoon Blades in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
