(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

trypt up

Rebels’ 3rd period leads gobbled by WHL-leading Oil Kings

Dec 28, 2019 | 10:20 PM

After 40 minutes, you wouldn’t have predicted Saturday’s final score between the Red Deer Rebels and Edmonton Oil Kings.

Red Deer took a 2-1 lead into the final frame, only to be outscored 7-1 en route to an 8-3 drubbing in what was the back half of a home and home series with the Central Division’s top team.

The Rebels were the only team to score in the first as Josh Tarzwell notched his team-leading 15th just past the six minute mark.

Shortly before the midway point of the second, Dylan Guenther got the home team on the board, scoring on the powerplay for his 11th and tying it 1-1.

At 16:00, Tarzwell tallied again, this time on the man advantage for his 16th. Cameron Hausinger also earned his second helper of the night in the process.

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Up by a goal with 20 minutes to play and trying to avenge a 2-1 home loss on Friday, Red Deer gave up an early one to Jake Neighbours (10th), unassisted just 52 seconds in. But it was a mere 10 seconds until the Red Deer lead was restored, Zak Smith (7th) putting it past Sebastian Cossa for a 3-2 advantage. But then the floodgates opened.

At 2:49, Edmonton’s Ethan McIndoe (8th) tied things at 3-3 on the powerplay. Neighbours (11th) scored his second of the night at 5:42, a goal that stood up as the game-winner. Then at 8:19, Neighbours (12th) scored the hat trick goal, and it was 5-3.

With Red Deer searching for a way back into the game, Edmonton struck again at 14:50 (Guenther – 12th), 15:44 (Vladimir Alistrov – 9th), and mercifully once more at 16:11 (Loeden Schaufler – 3rd).

Late in the second period, Rebels forward Brett Davis was given a five minute major for goaltender interference, plus a game misconduct.

Byron Fancy (7-9-0-1) was in for all eight goals against, but still made 32 saves. Cossa (14-2-1-1) earned his second win in as many nights against Red Deer with 28 stops.

Jake Neighbours (3G, 1A) was named first star, Dylan Guenther (2G, 2A) earned second star honours, and Josh Tarzwell (2G, 6 shots) was made third star. Tarzwell now has seven points (4G, 3A) in his last four games.

With one game remaining in the calendar year and the decade, Red Deer (12-19-0-3) find themselves with 27 points, six behind Brandon (15-17-1-2) for the second wild card spot in the East, and 10 behind Calgary (16-11-4-1) for the first wild card spot. Edmonton (24-6-5-2) meanwhile lead the entire WHL with 55 points.

The Rebels begin a three-game homestand on Monday (Dec. 30) against Everett. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. with the pre-game show on 106.7 The Drive starting at 6:30.