"4" was not a good number last night for the Red Deer Rebels.
They had only 4 defenceman dressed for their game versus the Calgary Hitmen. They gave up four goals before most fans finished their first beer. And they now sit four points out of a playoff spot.
After two solid efforts this week in Medicine Hat and Edmonton, the Rebels sleepwalked through the first period of last night's game... and it cost them big time. Now winners of 15 of their last 17 games, the Hitmen took full advantage on their way to winning 6-2.
Trevor Cheek opened the scoring 2:40 into the first. Cody Sylvester made it 2-0 at 8:11. Danny Gayle scored the eventual game winner at 12:07 and that would be it for Deven Dubyk on the night. The Rebels netminder giving up three goals on seven shots, none of which he really had much chance on. Then, following the entry of Bolton Pouliot and a Rebels timeout, Jimmy Bubnick made it 4-0 at 12:31 and this one was essentially over.
The Rebels did their best to make a game of it in the second period. John Persson got them on the board on a 5-on-3 powerplay early in the middle frame. Alex Petrovic cut the deficit to 4-2 late in the frame. But unlike the Tri-City game last weekend there would be no third period magic for the Rebels on this night... much to the chagrin (to the majority) of the announced crowd of 5787 fans.
In Swift Current... the Wheat Kings scored five unanswered goals for a 6-3 win over the Broncos. Brandon now leads the Rebels by four points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the WHL Eastern Conference. The Rebs do still hold two games at hand... but they need to put together a string of wins for those to be a factor.
The good (fantastic) news last night from the Enmax Centrium came from the overwhelmingly successful jersey fundraiser for KidSport. The silent auction for the one night only Finning Canada Rebels jerseys raised $26,250... well above the goal of raising $20,000. Really, this should surprise no one given the outstanding track record of generosity shown by Rebels fans and Central Albertans in general.
Plenty of smiles all around... last night on the faces of the winning bidders who were on the ice to receive their game worn jerseys... and plenty more to come from the dozens of kids who will get to take part in sports thanks to the money raised.
OTHER NOTES...
- Marc Mackenzie was listed as the 'fifth defenceman' on the Rebels roster for this game
- Mathew Dumba's seven game point streak game to an end last night
- For the third time in as many games, Charles Inglis recorded two points
- Following the game, Jesse Wallin confirmed our fears that Aaron Borejko will be out for the foreseeable future... perhaps for good. Borejko suffered his second concussion of the season and is in rough shape. We'll get an official update likely tomorrow, but it doesn't look good.
- Injury updates on Fafard (upper) Doetzel (upper) will likely come tomorrow as well
- Next game action for the Rebels... Wednesday night at home versus the Prince Albert Raiders.
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The Bentley Generals are off to the Chinook Hockey League final after beating the Stony Plain Eagles 4-2 last night in Stony. The Generals sweep the best-of-three semifinal series 2-0. They now await the winner of tonight's game in Lloydminster between the Border Kings and Sylvan Lake Admirals, that series is tied 1-1.
The Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs kicked off Senior AAA provincial playdowns with an 8-4 win over the Horse Lake Chiefs. The winner of this best-of-three series will play the Generals in the provincial semifinals. Sylvan Lake and Stony Plain are set to meet in the other semifinal series.
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Last night in Heritage Junior B Hockey League action...
- Red Deer Vipers 7, Three Hills Thrashers 3
- Strathmore Wheatland Kings 2, Blackfalds Wranglers 1
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RDC Athletics results form last night...
- Queens Volleyball beat Augustans three sets to none
- Kings Volleyball beat Augustana three sets to one
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If you're in or around Red Deer today and have no plans for Superbowl... join us at 106.7 The Drive for our Superbowl Party at Bo's Bar and Grill (2310 50th Avenue 403-309-2200)
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