Fab Four For Optimist Chiefs

2013 AMHL Champions - Red Deer Optimist Chiefs

The Doug Dynasty continues...

At least that's how the players, past and present, refer to the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs streak of four straight Alberta Midget AAA provincial championships.

It's their tribute to the man in charge, Doug Quinn, who has been behind the Chiefs bench for all four title wins (as well as their Telus Cup championship win last April.)

He's a coach these players absolutely love playing for.  And on Saturday, they rewarded him with another solid 60 minute effort leading to another provincial title.

"They're all exciting but I think one is probably a bit extra special," Quinn said following the Chiefs 1-0 won over Edmonton Southside Athletic Club in the fifth and deciding game of the Alberta Midget Hockey League final.

One Game Left To Win For Optimist Rebels

It wasn't like Dasan Sydora needed to prove himself, again.  But he did, again.

The diminutive goaltender was superb in making 29 saves for the Red Deer Optimist Rebels in their 2-0 semifinals win over the Saskatoon Contacts at the 2012 Telus Cup in Leduc.  Sydora stands just 5'8 tall but seems to grow about a foot taller whenever he stands between the pipes for his club.

"They're awesome to play in," Sydora said following the win.  "Nothing can compare to the do-or-die games."

Fit To Be Tied - Telus Cup Top Teams Remain Unbeaten

No fear.

That's the lesson Head Coach Doug Quinn says his team learned on Thursday.  Play with no fear.

The Red Deer Optimist Rebels took on Phenix College du Esther-Blondin in a battle of unbeaten teams, and a possible gold medal game preview, and came away with a 2-2 tie.

Red Deer held a 2-0 lead going into the final period until Esther-Blondin scored twice in the span of 4:24 to even the match.  And while the point lost in the standings wasn't critical for the baby rebels, the lesson learned in the process certainly was.

Optimist Rebels Clinch Playoff Spot

In a game in which five-on-five play was as rare as a bad episode of Seinfeld, the Red Deer Optimist Rebels came up huge on special teams.

Ty Mappin scored shorthanded, Nick Glackin and Scott Feser each scored on the powerplay as the baby rebels edged the host Leduc Oil Kings 3-2 at the Telus Cup national midget championship on Wednesday.

Optimist Rebels Fly Past Moncton (sort of)

It's no exaggeration to say that out of the 120 minutes of hockey the Red Deer Optimist Rebels have played at the Telus Cup in Leduc they have dominated at least 110 of them.

The only problem is the scoreboard hasn't reflected that domination.

The baby rebs out shot the Moncton Flyers 43-20 on Tuesday but settled for just a 2-1 victory to improve their round-robin record to 1-0-1.