WEN 3
EVT 2
PA 2
MH 4
SC 5
VAN 1
REG 7
CGY 2
BDN 6
VIC 2
SPO 3
PEN –
KAM –
KEL –
LET –
TC –
MJ –
SAS –
EDM –
RD –
POR –
Photo: Nick Pettigrew/Moose Jaw Warriors
By Jordan McCombeRed Deer Rebels ReporterThe Red Deer Rebels finished off their road trip with a dominant performance from Poul Anderson, who recorded 5 points, including four goals, in a win against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Although the Red Deer Rebels are 2 games ahead of most teams in the league, they still hold the 3rd-highest win percentage and are now sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The 3-game-long road trip took the team across Saskatchewan, taking on all the teams in the area. This included the Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades, and of course the Moose Jaw Warriors. Of the three teams they went up against, only the Raiders were able to beat them. With that win being just one of the two they have this season, they sit near the bottom of the standings, and although it’s early, it’s important to note that even with that loss, the Rebels have beaten much better teams earlier this year.
When it comes to teams sitting higher in the standings, the Rebels play up to their level and exceed it. They proved that with wins against the 2nd-place Broncos and 3rd-place Medicine Hat Tigers.
The offence soared in the backend of the road trip, with a total of 9 goals in two games. The Rebels also played well defensively, allowing just 2 goals in each of their wins. When it came down to the game against the Raiders, the Rebels were outdone in nearly every category. The Rebels did come out strong in the first period, outshooting their opponents by 5 shots and getting the first goal of the game very early. However, in the second, they were outshot 38- 26, allowing 23 of them in just the second period. No single Rebel was named star of the game.
Luckily, the Rebels were given a day of rest before back-to-back games against the Blades and Warriors. Games that saw a huge turnaround in performances. A combined 13 points were scored by Poul Anderson and captain Beckett Hamilton in two games, pushing them to number one and two in individual points throughout the league.
Despite the victories, the Rebels were still outshot in 5 of the 6 periods, with the depth scoring outside their first line being minimal. Poul Anderson would go on to be named the WHL’s player of the week.
The Red Deer Rebels are playing on home ice the next three games. Currently set for a rematch against the Calgary Hitmen this Friday after losing to them on opening night in a shootout.
