Josh Tarzwell scores his 26th goal of the season (WHL.ca)

By Troy Gillard

slump busted

Rebels earn 3-2 win over Memorial Cup host Rockets

Feb 16, 2020 | 10:09 AM

Instead of giving up a late goal leading to a heartbreaking loss, as they’ve done several times of late, the Rebels scored a third period goal of their own to pull out a 3-2 victory Saturday night over the Memorial cup hosting Kelowna Rockets.

Josh Tarzwell opened the scoring 7:46 into the first period with his 26^th goal of the season. Tarzwell went upstairs on the blocker side of Rockets goalie Roman Barsan for a powerplay tally set up nicely by Arsheep Bains and Ben King, who extended their point streaks to five games.

The Rebels added their second goal of the night at 18:55 of the first period, also on a powerplay. A long point shot from Kyle Masters found its way home for his first goal in the Western Hockey League.

Halfway through the second period, in something you don’t see every game, someone popped the question. All 5215 people at Prospera Place had eyes on the couple as she responded with a yes, although it was a tad questionable, as described by Rebels play-by-play guy Cam Moon.

Kelowna started to take control of the game after that, though, keeping pucks in Red Deer’s zone until Kaeden Korczak beat Rebels goalie Byron Fancy for his tenth goal of the year. The Rebels called a timeout immediately after the goal in a bid to settle things down.

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Dillon Hamaliuk took a high-sticking penalty 15:54 into the second period to put the Rebels back on the man-advantage. It unfortunately didn’t do the Rebels way as Kelowna tallied a short-handed goal from their leading scorer, Pavel Novak, hammered home a shot for his 20^th of the year and a 2-2 score.

The Rebels took a 3-2 lead 11:11 into the third period. Bains and King rushed up the ice, the puck was poked off Bains’ stick but following the play was Jace Isley, who scored his fifth of the year to put the Rebels ahead. Fancy shut the door from there as the Rebels held on for a one-goal win, ending their three-game losing skid.

Fancy made 26 saves in the win as Red Deer had 28 shots of their own. Red Deer was 2-for-7 on the powerplay while Kelowna was 0-for-4.

The Rebels finish their five-game B.C. road trip Monday in a Family Day matinee against the Prince George Cougars. Puck drops at 3 p.m. Listen live on 106.7 The Drive.