By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

'the best' kind of result

Rebels exhibit excellence in execution in statement win over Hitmen

Mar 11, 2023 | 5:01 PM

On the day the home team celebrated Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, let’s just say the Red Deer Rebels got a certain measure of revenge against Calgary Hitmen.

The 9-0 squash came less than 24 hours after the Hitmen downed Red Deer 4-3 in overtime at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

This was the final of eight meetings between the Central Division rivals, with Red Deer winning five of the first seven.

While the Rebels wrapped up the division title earlier this week, Calgary came in sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference, tied with Swift Current in points for the final playoff spot.

The most goals scored by either of the teams in one game against each other this season was five, while they’ve gone to overtime thrice.

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The most goals Calgary had given up in one game this season was nine in a December loss to Moose Jaw.

Scoring summary

As we said, it was all Red Deer in this one, and it didn’t take long to get the fun started.

Kai Uchacz (49th) scored at 3:34 of the first, beginning the onslaught.

Jhett Larson (16th) scored at 10:06, and then again (17th) at 13:19, the second one coming on the man advantage for a 3-0 lead.

But before the period was done, Craig Armstrong (10th) scored another power play goal at 13:50.

Just 77 seconds into the second, Larson (18th) completed the hat trick, again on the power play. For the 19-year-old Delisle, SK native, it was his first three-goal game in the WHL, and just his second multi-goal game. He scored twice back in September against Edmonton.

Mats Lindgren then wanted to get in on the action, scoring with the extra man again, just 1:02 later.

At 6:21 of the period, Calgary gave Ethan Buenaventura the mercy pull in favour of Brayden Peters.

Captain Jayden Grubbe (17th) would make it 7-0 at 11:20 of the middle frame.

Carson Birnie (8th), scored only 64 seconds after that, and Hunter Mayo (16th) scored at 15:20 as the Rebels applied the deep sharpshooter for a 9-0 lead after 40 minutes.

In the final frame, the goals ended and things got a little testy, somewhat resembling something out of Bret Hart’s heyday.

The final score: 9-0 Red Deer.

The Rebels scored at least five power play goals in one game for the second time this season; the first time was against Prince George on Jan. 20. It had only been done in one other WHL game this season, that one involving Tri-City and Swift Current.

That same game against PG was also the only other time this season the Rebels had scored at least eight goals. They’d also scored exactly seven twice and exactly six another six times.

For Kyle Kelsey, who improves to 19-11-2-3, it was his third shutout of the season.

Shots

RD: 57

CGY: 25

Power play

RD: 5/7

CGY: 0/4

Three stars

1st: Jhett Larson – 3G on 4 shots

2nd: Mats Lindgren – 1G, 2A

3rd: Kyle Kelsey – 25 save shutout

The Red Deer Rebels have four games left on the regular season.

Friday, March 17 – vs. Swift Current – 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 18 – vs. Swift Current – 7 p.m.

Friday, March 24 – @ Lethbridge – 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 25 – vs. Lethbridge – 7 p.m.

Home game broadcasts begin 30 minutes before puck drop, and away games 10 minutes, on 106.7 REWIND Radio.