The Red Deer Rebels' Jhett Larson and the Brandon Wheat Kings' Ridly Greig battle Friday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium. (Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator)

By Alessia Proietti

3-1 win

Rebels lead Wheat Kings 3-2 after Game 5 victory

Apr 29, 2022 | 11:01 PM

The Red Deer Rebels edged their way ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings in their opening round WHL playoff series, winning 3-1 win Friday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

The Rebels are now 3-2 in the best-of-seven series with Sunday’s game potentially sending Red Deer to the next round.

In the first period, a power play opportunity presented itself early for Red Deer when the Wheat Kings’ Ridly Greig was sent to the box for holding. Just 47 seconds into the game, the Rebels’ Kai Uchacz scored, Ben King getting an assist.

At 12:32, Red Deer’s Jhett Larson managed to score from just outside the blue line. With Kyle Masters and Jackson van de Leest claiming the assists, Red Deer’s lead was now 2-0.

After 20 minutes of play, the Rebels were outshooting the Wheat Kings 17-11.

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In the second period, Red Deer maintained their dominance ont he shot clock, adding 11 more to Brandon’s seven, however, not a goal was scored by either side. The Rebels also had two power play opportunities to Brandon’s one in the period.

In the third, Brandon made their way onto the scoreboard at 6:28. Vincent Iorio scored on netminder Chase Coward, making it a 2-1 game.

But the home team got some insurance at 13:03, Kalan Lind bouncing the puck off the boards to Frantisek Formanek, who managed a pass to Uchacz, who then potted his second of the night.

That gave Red Deer a 3-1 lead which held up as the final score.

The Rebels outshot Brandon on the night 34-28. Meantime, Red Deer went 1/5 on the power play, and Brandon was 0/3.

All three stars this evening went to the Rebels. Ben King received the third star for his assist. Netminder Chase Coward received the second for stopping 27 of 28 pucks fired his way. Kai Uchacz received first star honours for his two goals.

Rebels coach Steve Konowalchuk said it was important for the team to take advantage of the early power play. Throughout the game, he said, they put enough pressure on Brandon’s side to maintain the puck and zone dominance.

“When we needed some momentum back there, they went out and got some pucks deep. They got onto forecheck. The Uchacz-Formanek line, they were solid too,” he said.

“I thought our guys played hard all night.”

Brandon now needs to win Game 6 to keep the series alive.

Game 6 goes Sunday, May 1 at Westoba Place. Face-off is at 4 p.m. MT with the broadcast live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.

If necessary, Game 7 would be played Tuesday, May 3 at the Centrium, with a 7 p.m. puck drop.