REBELS: Big Weekend Ahead

With the spectacle that was the Subway Super Series now in the books, the focus for junior hockey fans in Central Alberta returns squarely on the exploits of the Red Deer Rebels.

The Rebels are coming off of what was perhaps their best home effort of the season thus far, definitely their best since their return from November’s ArgiTrade induced road trip.  My question for Lukas Sutter on Thursday, what was the key to success that night?

The New Look Rebels - So Far, So Good

There is a long, long way to go before we're able to pass final judgement on Brent Sutter's work as Red Deer Rebels General Manager this season.

That being said, the early returns for his wheeling and dealing are looking good.  Very good.  And the possibility for long term benefits from these moves should have Rebels fans feeling pretty darn good about what the boss has been up to.

Thursday Thoughts - "Rebels Clip Blades"

First off, if for some reason you have not seen Mathew Dumba's "Goal of the Year" candidate from last night... get on it!  Dumba's beauty goal was good enough to earn TSN Highlight of the Night honours... which, by the way, is a first time occurrence for the Rebels franchise.

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The Red Deer Rebels have earned points in three straight games thanks to their 5-3 win over the Blades last night in Saskatoon.  The Rebels are 2-0-1 to start their stretch of seven straight games away from the Enmax Centrium.  Some thoughts...

- SCORING BY COMMITTEE... Five different players, none of them named Charles Inglis, lit the lamp for the Rebels last night... which is a great sign for this club.

- GIANT DIVIDENDS... Matt Bellerive was acquired from the Vancouver Giants with hopes/intentions that his playmaking ability to jump start the Rebels sometimes stagnant offensive attack.  Bellerive is tied for the Rebels scoring lead with six points, including the three assists he had in last night's win.

- KEY MOMENT... Midway through the third period, with the Rebels on a 5-on-3 powerplay, Josh Nicholls found himself with a breakaway for the Blades.  Patrik Bartosak came up with a huge save for the Rebels.  Mere seconds later, Cory Millette scored for the Rebels to make it 4-1, essentially putting the game out of reach. (Although Saskatoon scored just 10 seconds later to set up an interesting finish to this one).  Both Bartosak and Bolton Pouliot, as advertised, have been outstanding in net for the Rebels so far this season.

- CAPTAIN'S CRUNCH TIME... Adam Kambeitz's assist on Tyson Ness' empty net goal was just his second point of the season.  With Inglis on a scoring tear, and Turner Elson still day-to-day with his lower body injury, Adam needs to seize the moment and start contributing offensively.  Only four games (max.) left until the Rebels overagers (20 year old's) situation will be dealt with.

- MILLER TIME?... Also waiting for Jesse Miller to make an impact in his first WHL season.  He got invovled physically last night with a third period fight with Jessey Astles but that's not why he's here.  The Rebels are banking on the 18 year old's offensive abilities to add some much needed scoring depth.

- MOON MAN... I don't always get to appreciate it while working at home games... but sitting in my living room last night while listening to Cam Moon's call of the game on 106.7 The Drive was a real treat.  Judging by a look at my twitter timeline... many of you agree with me that Mooner calls one helluva good game!

NEXT GAME... The Rebels continue their East Division tour tomorrow night by visiting the Regina Pats.  Game time is 7:00pm.  The aforementioned Mooner hits the air with the pregame show on The Drive starting at 6:50.

Giant Trade Sees Bellerive Join Rebels

Brent Sutter wasted little time in following up on his promise to make the changes he feels are needed to improve his hockey club.

He has pulled the trigger on a deal with the Vancouver Giants to acquire RW Matt Bellerive from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for the Rebels 3rd round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

Bellerive has 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 98 career regular season games with the Giants.  He was their 2nd round selection in the 2009 bantam draft.  He had apparently requested a trade from Vancouver.  In their official release, Giants Executive VP and General Manager Scott Bonner said "Matt was a good kid whom wanted a fresh start with another team.  We wish Matt all the best with his hockey career and thank him for the contributions he's made to our franchise over the years.”

Matt Bellerive
Hometown - North Vancouver, BC
D.O.B. - December 7, 1994 (18 years old)
Height - 5'11"  Weight - 188lbs.

"He's still a younger guy that we think has lots of potential to break out," said Rebels Head Coach Jesse Wallin at today's media scrum.  "He's a guy that we hope can find his way a little bit with a fresh start and a new environment."

It's pretty clear as to why Bellerive is on his way to Red Deer (he will arrive here on Tuesday and will be in the lineup Friday night versus Medicine Hat).  Wallin and Sutter see the potential in him to kick start the Rebels apparent lack of depth when it comes to scoring.

"He was a good scorer at the bantam and midget level," noted Wallin.  "We're hoping that with a change of scenery here, and a fresh start, that he can start to produce and be a guy that can certainly be a top six forward for us and provide some offense."

Bellerive recorded 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 35 games with the Vancouver NW Giants (Midget AAA) and was a member of bronze medal winning Team Pacific for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in the 2010-11 season (recording 2 points in 6 games).