Forward Zak Smith (left) and the rest of the Red Deer Rebels host Lethbridge on Wednesday (Photo: Rob Wallator)

By Dan Hermanutz

hurricanes visit Wednesday

Rebels look to rebound after another tough loss to Calgary

Feb 3, 2020 | 4:34 PM

The Red Deer Rebels are in the middle of a four-day break before the Lethbridge Hurricanes come to town on Wednesday night.

The Rebels, who are 2-3 in their last five games, are coming off of a shutout loss to the Calgary Hitmen that saw them put only 14 shots on net. All three of their losses in the past five games have been to the Hitmen, who the Rebels play yet again on Saturday.

“I thought we did a few things right but offensively we just weren’t there. You need the offense to win games and that’s just really hurt us,” said forward Zak Smith. “You also have to tighten up defensively, we can’t be letting in five goals every night, you can’t win like that.”

The Rebels played even with Calgary through twenty minutes Saturday but were down a goal, In periods two and three Calgary turned up the heat and outshot the Rebels 23 to 8.

“They’re a good defensive team, you don’t get a lot of zone time,” said Smith. “They get out of their zone fast and they have skilled forwards so you need to know how to defend and if you don’t they’re going to come at you and they’re going to score.”

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

2h ago

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

3h ago

Prevention, Access, Recovery, and Coordination

Safe Harbour officially hands over shelter keys, establishes accessible navigation hub

21h ago

The Rebels look to rebound with Lethbridge coming to town Wednesday. The Hurricanes are a very skilled team highlighted by Buffalo Sabres seventh overall pick Dylan Cozens, who won a gold medal recently at the World Juniors. The Rebels were in Lethbridge a few weeks ago and battled hard, but ended up losing in overtime.

“Just getting in a positive mindset after the tough loss to Calgary and just get back to it – it starts today with two good practice’s coming up and Lethbridge is always a heavy game and we’re banging bodies,” said Smith. “For Lethbridge, you just gotta be focused, you gotta be dialed in on everything because their a really good team and you can’t let them get chances because they will come at you. It’s going to be a tough game.”

You can listen to the Rebels game Wednesday on 106.7 THE DRIVE at 7 p.m.