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The Red Deer Rebels beat the Kelowna Rockets 5-1 at the Peavey Mart Centrium Friday night. (Red Deer Rebels/ Rob Wallator)
5-1 win against Rockets

Rebels clinch berth in 2023 WHL playoffs

Feb 25, 2023 | 10:46 PM

The Red Deer Rebels not only beat the Kelowna Rockets 5-1 on Saturday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium but also clinched a berth into the 2023 WHL playoff season.

It was a big night for the Rebels as it was the first time the Rockets played in Red Deer since November 2018. It was also the ATB Financial Team Poster Night with a postgame autograph session featuring the entire Rebels team. Finally, with the Brandon Wheat Kings’ loss to the Regina Pats the same night, the Rebels learned they secured their position into this season’s playoffs.

Just under three minutes into the first period, the Rebels’ Ollie Josephson picked up a loose puck to score a goal with a backhand on Rockets goaltender Talyn Boyko. His fourth goal of the season was assisted by Dwayne Jean Jr. and Quentin Bourne. The home team opened the score 1-0.

Shortly after at 8:04, Red Deer’s Jace Weir picked up the puck from the wall and scored his second goal this season with a wrist-shot from the faceoff circle. Assisted by Matteo Fabrizi, the team doubled their lead 2-0.

With Kelowna’s Marek Rocak sent to the box for high sticking, the Rebels’ Ben King seized the power play opportunity off a rebound from the slot. His 14th goal of the season at 14:23 was assisted by Kai Uchacz and Jayden Grubbe for a 3-0 lead.

After 20 minutes of play, the Rebels outshot the Rockets 15-9.

In the middle frame, the Rebels once again scored early on at 3:31 when Jace Isley scored his 26th goal this season from the slot. Assisted by Jhett Larson and Jayden Grubbe, the Rebels went into a 4-0 lead.

But less than 40 seconds later, Kelowna’s Turner McMillen scored his eighth goal of the season on Rebels netminder Kyle Kelsey. With Carson Golder and Trae Johnson making the assists, the visiting team made it 4-1.

Then in the final minute of the period, the Rockets had two of their men sent to the box; Trae Johnson for holding and Caden Price for slashing, the latter earning that penalty with the Rebels’ Jaden Grubbe for roughing. The penalties carried into the third period, giving the Rebels the man advantage.

The Rockets slightly outshot the Rebels in the second period 8-5.

Right out of the gate in the final period, Red Deer’s Mats Lindgren scored his ninth goal of the season within the first 42 seconds. With a wrist-shot from the point, the power play goal was assisted by Frantisek Formanek and Kai Uchacz. The Rebels would hang on to win the game 5-1.

In the third period, the Rockets had more shots on goal (13-5) compared to the Rebels, as well as for the entire game (30-25).

The Rebels went 2/3 on the power play while the Rockets went 0/4 with the man advantage.

The Rebels earned all three stars this game, with Ollie Josephson who opened the scoring, earning the third star. Jace Weir who scored the game’s second goal took home the second star of the night, while Jayden Grubbe was awarded the first star for his two assists.

The win keeps the Rebels in first place in the WHL’s Central Division with a record of 38-15-1-3 while the loss puts the Rockets in fourth place in the B.C. Division at 21-31-3-0.

The Rebels now head for a four-game road trip to the Prairies this week with their next game against the Prince Albert Raiders on Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. MST with the broadcast live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.

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