Josh Tarzwell (#19) fights for the puck during a game between the Red Deer Rebels and Prince Albert Raiders at the Westerner Park Centrium in Red Deer, Alta on Jan. 18, 2020. (Dave Brunner)

By Kael Clark

resilient rebels

Rebels come back to beat Raiders for third time this season

Jan 19, 2020 | 9:43 AM

The Red Deer Rebels have the Prince Albert Raiders’ number, and they proved it again Saturday night defeating PA 4-3 in a shootout.

The victory is the third time Red Deer (15-23-2-3) has knocked off PA (23-14-5-3) this season, and comes in the Rebels’ return from a five-game road trip to the Westerner Park Centrium.

Red Deer’s last win: a 6-5 OT triumph over the Raiders to kick off that road trip on Jan. 7.

The Raiders got on the board first after Ilya Usau (15th) made a gorgeous move to get behind Red Deer’s D and backhand the puck past Ethan Anders for a 1-0 lead. The goal came just past the five-minute mark.

Red Deer got it back at 8:50 of the second period, Zak Smith (8th) scoring following the end of a powerplay. Chris Douglas forced a pass toward the net where Smith, fighting off a d-man, shoveled the puck through Carter Serhyenko’s legs to tie it 1-1.

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

15h ago

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

20h ago

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

21h ago

Shortly after, Anders had to stand tall, denying Ozzy Wiesblatt on a breakaway.

With only 38 seconds left in the period came of a backbreaker of sorts, as Landon Kosior (3rd) got free and snapped a shot past Anders for a 2-1 Raiders lead after 40 minutes.

Prince Albert picked up in the third where they left off in the second, scoring just 1:24 in to give themselves a 3-1 lead. This time it was Eric Pearce (3rd) beating Anders off a mad scramble in the crease.

But the resilient Rebels drew back within one just 1:14 later as Dallon Melin made a cross-ice pass to Keaton Sorensen (5th) who buried it on a wraparound.

Red Deer, granted a powerplay with Justin Nachbaur in the box for hooking, took full advantage. At 5:54, Zak Smith (9th) got the equalizer and his second goal of the night, also giving him his third multi-goal game of the season.

In overtime, each team had great chances to end it, but the goalies were even more outstanding, sending the game to a shootout.

Josh Tarzwell started things off with a goal, beating Serhyenko five-hole.

Anders then stopped Wiesblatt, and Ben King scored on the Rebels’ second attempt. With the game on the line, Usau was once again stopped by Anders, and the Rebels secured the two points.

Anders (7-12-0-2), the game’s third star, stopped 31 of 34 for his 45th career regular season win, while his counterpart Serhyenko (5-4-0-1) made 24 saves. Zak Smith was Saturday night’s first star, and Wiesblatt was named second star for the Raiders.

Red Deer now has a full week off before welcoming the Calgary Hitmen to the Westerner Park Centrium on Saturday, January 25. The pre-game show starts at 6:30 on 106.7 The Drive with puck drop at 7.