The Rebels’ Blake Stevenson, first goal scorer of Friday night’s game, on a 2-on-1, with Hitmen Tyson Galloway and Riley Fiddler-Schultz. (Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator)

By Alessia Proietti

back on home ice and still winning

Rebels shut out Hitmen 2-0

Nov 19, 2021 | 11:11 PM

After a week of rest from a successful eastern road trip, the Red Deer Rebels won 2-0 on home ice against the Calgary Hitmen at the Peavey Mart Centrium Friday night.

The team was welcomed back with fans so excited for their return, they even sang the national anthem right through a choppy stereo system, and pride filling the arena.

This support may have set the tone for the period as the Rebels Arshdeep Bains scored on Hitmen goaltender Brayden Peters at the 12:32 mark. The goal came on a power play following a hooking penalty to Calgary’s Mason Finley. Bains scored his eighth goal of the season and was assisted by Blake Stevenson and Kai Uchacz.

By the end of the period, shots on goal were 13-7 in favor of the Hitmen.

The second period saw no goals even with multiple players being sent to the box. The Rebels outshot the Hitmen 11-4, sporting their new set of grey jerseys designed by Maya, a local teenager, raising donations for the President’s Choice children’s charity to fight child hunger. The jerseys were auctioned off for $500 each in support of the cause.

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The third period was yet another one of smooth sailing for the Rebels. The Hitmen pulled their goalie just before the final minute of the period, but to their demise as Red Deer’s Blake Stevenson scored the empty-netter and his eighth goal of the season with just 40 seconds left in the game. Assisted by Kyle Masters, the game was now 2-0. Shots on goal were 16-5, in favor of the Rebels in the third period.

Overall, the Rebels outshot the Hitmen 34-22 and went 1/5 with the man advantage compared to the Hitmen’s 0/3.

The third star of the game went to Red Deer’s Arshdeep Bains. The second star to Calgary’s Brayden Peters, and the first star to Rebels goalie Chase Coward for his shut-out on 22 shots.

“It feels great. Looking back on last year, it’s so much more calm. I’m out in my crease more, playing the puck and seeing a lot more and it’s feeling great this year,” said Coward.

With the win, the Rebels’ record improves to 13-6-1 and good for second place in the WHL’s Central Division, while the Hitmen sit in fourth with a record of 7-8-0.

Earlier this week, Rebels owner, president and general manager Brent Sutter stated this year’s coaching staff was a key driving force for the team’s strong season in comparison to last year’s.

Rebel’s coach Steve Konowalchuk responded Friday night, saying, “I am happy to coach this group of kids and my staff does work hard. They work hard every day. They’re in there every day and they’re trying to help the guys but I honestly am very impressed with the character we have in that locker room. They come and they want to do it and they want to work hard and everybody is part of it and it’s been really fun the last month to just see the team. I credit the players. I totally credit the players.”

The Rebels get right back at it on Saturday night at 7 p.m. when they play host to the Prince Albert Raiders at the Peavey Mart Centrium.