Rebels refuse underdog label ahead of second round series versus Blades

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Unsurprisingly, Kai Uchacz led the Rebels in scoring with two goals and two assists, and Trevor Wong led Saskatoon with three goals and five helpers.

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Red Deer went 5/17 (29.4%) on the power play, while the Blades went 7/24 (29.2%).

Per the Rebels, this marks the third ever playoff series between these teams, with the Blades winning both previous battles in 1993 and 2010.

“They’re a good skilled team, and they’re fast, so we have to be ready for that, but I think we just have to control what we can, and playing our style will work well,” says Captain Jayden Grubbe.

“We’re only worried about the next game, and not looking too far ahead.”

Asked if there’s a favourite or underdog in the series, Grubbe doesn’t think so.

“It’ll be tight. It’s exciting playing a team like that because they’re good and so are we,” Grubbe says. “I don’t think it really matters to start on the road; we were good last series on the road, so we just go out there and play. But the crowd here has been pretty awesome, so when we do get back, it’ll be pretty fun.”

Red Deer, which averaged 5,317 fans over three home games last series, scored 10 times and won both away games versus Calgary in the opening round.

The team also posted a 20-11-1-2 record away from friendly confines in the regular season. Conversely, Saskatoon was 25-6-3-0 during the regular season at home, but they did lose two of four at home to Regina in the opening round.

“They’re a fast team and one that doesn’t take a lot of penalties,” points out Rebels Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk, who also doesn’t see a clear favourite. “They had a lot of points in the regular season for a reason, so it’s pretty much the same mindset for us; there are some things we want to get better at, but we have an identity we want to play to.”

To Coach Kono’s point, the Blades recorded 709 (10.4/game) penalty minutes in the regular season, second least in the WHL. The Rebels took the second most at 987 (14.5/game).

In the opening round, Red Deer was penalized for a playoff-leading 87 minutes, while Saskatoon took just 43, 11th most out of 16 playoff teams.

“We just have to play our game,” insists Ben King, he of 35 points in 30 regular season games, and seven in three playoff games against Calgary.

“We know they’re a skilled, puck-moving team. We have to be physical and work every shift, every night, and we’ll be good. We do take a bit away [from the three regular season losses], but going into this series, it’s a reset, a zero-zero start, and we’ll give it our all.”

“[Starting by] going on the road might be good for us,” the Anaheim Ducks 2022 4th-rounder adds. “We’re excited no matter where we play.”

Here’s the series schedule:

Game One Friday, April 14 7 p.m. – Red Deer at Saskatoon SaskTel Centre

Game Two Sunday, April 16 4 p.m. – Red Deer at Saskatoon SaskTel Centre

Game Three Tuesday, April 18 7 p.m. – Saskatoon at Red Deer Peavey Mart Centrium

Game Four Wednesday, April 19 7 p.m. – Saskatoon at Red Deer Peavey Mart Centrium

Game Five* Friday, April 21 7 p.m. – Red Deer at Saskatoon SaskTel Centre

Game Six* Sunday, April 23 2 p.m. – Saskatoon at Red Deer Peavey Mart Centrium

Game Seven* Tuesday, April 25 7 p.m. – Red Deer at Saskatoon SaskTel Centre

*If necessary

All games will be broadcast on 106.7 REWIND Radio; home game broadcasts start 30 minutes prior to puck drop, and 10 minutes for away games.

Tickets for Rebels home playoff games at the Peavey Mart Centrium are on sale at Tickets Alberta. You can also visit reddeerrebels.com or call 403-341-6000.