By Sheldon Spackman

4-2 Win In Game 3

Rebels take 2-1 series lead over Calgary

Apr 3, 2023 | 9:44 PM

The Red Deer Rebels have taken a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven first round WHL playoff series with Calgary following a 4-2 victory over the Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome Monday night.

Game 3, however, saw the home team strike first when Calgary’s Carson Wetsch scored his first of the post season, beating Rebels goaltender Kyle Kelsey at 13:42 to put the Hitmen up 1-0. Carter Yakemchuk and Oliver Tulk assisted on the play.

Matteo Fabrizi would respond for Red Deer though when he scored his first goal of the playoffs at 16:07, beating Calgary netminder Brayden Peters. Nicholas Andrusiak and Carson Birnie were credited with the assists to make it 1-1.

The Rebels would then take the lead soon afterwards when Kai Uchacz scored his second of the playoffs at 16:56, with Kalan Lind and Hunter Mayo earning the helpers to make it 2-1 for the visitors.

That score would hold heading into the first intermission with Red Deer also outshooting Calgary 19-11 after 20 minutes.

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The Rebels would add to their lead early in the second period when Frantisek Formanek scored his second of the post season just 46 seconds in, a one-timer beating Brayden Peters top shelf to give Red Deer a 3-1 lead. Kai Uchacz and Christoffer Sedoff assisted on the play.

Calgary would respond quickly though when Carter MacAdams scored on the power play, his first of the playoffs at 3:56, with assists coming from Ethan Moore and Tyson Galloway, following an interference penalty to Red Deer’s Ryker Singer, closing the Rebels lead to 3-2.

The rest of the period would feature numerous penalties for both clubs but no other power play goals.

Calgary outshot Red Deer 18-12 in the second period for a two-period total of 31-29 in favour of the Rebels after 40 minutes.

The third period was a tight one with Calgary eventually pulling goaltender Brayden Peters at 18:05 to add the extra attacker, making for a tense finish to the game.

But with Rebels goaltender Kyle Kelsey staying sharp in the late going, Red Deer’s Kai Uchacz was able to score his third of the playoffs, an empty netter with just 37 seconds remaining to make it a 4-2 final.

Shots on goal were 15-9 in favour of Red Deer during the third period with the Rebels outshooting the Hitmen 46-38 overall.

Elsewhere, Red Deer went 0 for 6 on the power play while Calgary went 1 for 6 with the man advantage.

Rebels netminder Kyle Kelsey who stopped 36 of 38 shots for a .947 save percentage was named the game’s third star, with Calgary goaltender Brayden Peters who stopped 42 of 45 shots for a .933 save percentage was named the game’s second star. Red Deer’s Kai Uchacz who earned two goals and one assist for three points on the night, was named the game’s first star.

The win gives Red Deer a 2-1 series lead heading into game 4 Wednesday night which starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. You can catch all the action live on 106.7 Rewind Radio.