Red Deer Rebels forward Kalan Lind (13) tries to beat Saskatoon Blades goaltender Austin Elliott in game three at the Peavey Mart Centrium on April 18, 2023. (Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

3-1 final

Blades on the brink as Rebels again victorious in game three

Apr 18, 2023 | 9:48 PM

With a win, the Red Deer Rebels would push the Saskatoon Blades to the brink of elimination on Tuesday at the Peavey Mart Centrium, and guess what… they did just that.

Red Deer beat Saskatoon 3-1, and now lead their conference semi-final three games to none, with a chance to put a bow on it Wednesday.

“We know we have to reset here and it’ll be a real hard game [tomorrow], but it’s nice to get the win,” said Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk post-game, touching on his team being behind for the first time this series.

“We’ve just got to enjoy this for a real quick little bit here, but be ready for tomorrow. Tonight, our guys kept playing. They didn’t ride the emotional roller coaster.”

Dwayne Jean Jr., who had the eventual game-winner, was emotional outside the locker room.

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“I had my mom here, I haven’t got to see her much. My dad’s been in the hospital, so to have them here, it’s been unbelievable. Just want to say I love her and that [goal] was for her,” the Edmonton native said.

“The Blades are a good team, so it’s short-term focus. All the guys bought in tonight, from the first to fourth lines, and that’s what we need again tomorrow.

“I wouldn’t say we’re comfortable,” he continued. “It’s all about tomorrow. All the guys in there want to do it in four, but we’ll have to come into it with the same mindset as the first three.”

Scoring summary

The third volume of this series began with yet another low-scoring, low-shooting period.

After 20 minutes, it remained a scoreless draw, while the shot clock read 8-7 Red Deer. In three first periods over the start of the series, Red Deer has a total of 19 shots, while Saskatoon has just 16, all with zero goals scored.

The Rebels also failed to capitalize on two first period power plays, both minors to Blades forward Vaughn Watterodt, one for checking from behind and the other for kneeing.

Things opened up in the second, however.

Trevor Wong (4th) got the visitors on the board first, scoring at 5:04.

At 9:46, it was Frantisek Formanek (3rd) equalizing for Red Deer.

Late in the second, following a Kalan Lind tripping minor, Red Deer got the much-desired lead they were seeking when Dwayne Jean Jr. (1st) scored his first career WHL Playoffs goal at 16:25.

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The third was tense, to say the least, especially just past the 10-minute mark when Ben King had three solid cracks at the net, but was stymied each time. The Rebels also hit two posts in a fiery power play sequence which the Blades barely survived.

In the waning minutes of regulation, Saskatoon pulled the goalie for the extra attacker. Rebels captain Jayden Grubbe found some space deep in his own zone and fired it down the ice 190 feet, only to clink iron an agonizing third time in the period.

The fans going wild, Red Deer regained possession, and Kalan Lind (2nd) sealed the deal at 19:14, potting it from in close into the empty net.

In the win, Rebels netminder Kyle Kelsey made 22 saves, and now sports at 7-0-1 record this post-season, with a 1.67GAA and .938SV%.

His counterpart, Austin Elliott, stopped 23 pucks tonight, and is 1-4-0 these playoffs, with a 3.40GAA and .860SV%.

Shots

SAS: 7-6-10-23

RD: 8-7-11-26

Power play

SAS: 0/2

RD: 0/3

Three stars

1st: Christoffer Sedoff (RD) – 1 assist, 1 shot, +1

2nd: Dwayne Jean Jr. (RD) – 1 goal, 1 shot, +1

3rd: Craig Armstrong (RD)

Up next is game four, which goes Wednesday at 7 p.m. from the Peavey Mart Centrium. The broadcast can be heard live on 106.7 REWIND Radio starting at 6:30.

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

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.