Rebels forward Chris Douglas (left), Superfan Cole Empson, and defenceman Josh Sexsmith

By Troy Gillard

contest winner

Rebels superfan wins season tickets from rdnewsNOW

Sep 26, 2019 | 12:41 PM

rdnewsNOW recently held the “Rebels Superfan” contest where diehard Red Deer Rebels fans were encouraged to share their story about why they should win four season tickets for 2019-20.

Below is the winning entry from 13-year-old Cole Empson. Congratulations, we hope you and your family enjoy the season!

—

I heard a goal horn sound in the distance and I knew the Rebels game would soon be starting. I hustled out of my room to get my jersey, hat, and foam finger. I had to hurry if I wanted to make it before puck drop.

Tonight was the contest game night. There was going to be an all-time alumni game with the MVP on the winning team being awarded four season tickets to give to any family member or friend. As a diehard fan, I had to be there to see my heroes, past and present.

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On nights when I couldn’t be at the rink, whether the Rebels were playing at home or on the road, I always set aside time to tune into the broadcast. I would put my Rebels hat and jersey on to get prepared. After I had all my Rebels swag on, I would settle into my bed, turn on the radio and listen to Cam Moon’s call of the game. Even being at home, my hands would get sweaty from being clenched into nervous fists.

Anyway, tonight I was so excited to watch the big game in person. I ran out to the car and drove to the Westerner Park Centrium. I got into my seat just before they dropped the puck. I looked at the roster to see the lineups. The forwards for the Alternate Jerseys were Brandon Hagel, Woolly Bully and Evan Polei. Playing defence for the alternate jerseys were Haydn Fleury and Alex Petrovic, with Cam Ward starting in the crease. The forwards for the home jerseys were Rowdy Rebel, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Jake Debrusk. On defence they had Dion Phaneuf and Matt Dumba with Darcey Kuemper starting in goal.

The puck dropped and the game was underway. It was a very tight match up until Dumba rifled one from the point and beat Ward up high on the glove side. The game remained one to zero until Polei roofed a slick backhander after a great feed from Woolly Bully to tie it up at one. The final buzzer went and the tough contest for season tickets continued for the five minute OT.

Overtime didn’t solve anything. The game was still held at 1-1 and was now headed to a shootout.

Each team chose three players to shoot for them. The first two players in the shootout were unsuccessful. Debrusk and Nugent-Hopkins were the next players, and both scored. The final two shooters were Woolly Bully and Rowdy Rebel.

Woolly Bully was going to shoot first. He went up the left side and swerved into the middle of the ice. He took a low shot that skipped off the end of his stick right into Kuemper’s glove. It was all up to Rowdy Rebel. If Rowdy scored, the MVP on the Home Jerseys would win the season tickets.

Rowdy took off straight down the middle and wound up for a slap shot. He rifled the puck straight toward the top left corner, Ward put his glove up but was a little low. The puck ticked off the top of his glove and looked as if it was going to go in but it elevated enough to hit the cross bar and come crashing down on the ice in front of the net.

Since both players did not score, the game remained tied.