Rebels forward Jhett Larson fires on net Saturday against Brandon. Larson scored once and added an assist en route to being named first star. (Red Deer Rebels)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

red hot

Make it 9! Rebels top Wheat Kings 5-3

Jan 27, 2024 | 9:57 PM

Make it nine!

The Red Deer Rebels defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings Saturday night at the Centrium, extending their impressive win streak ahead of a five-game road trip with a 5-3 triumph.

Coming in, Red Deer and Brandon had squared off twice this season, the Rebels winning 2-0 on Nov. 24, and the Wheaties coming out victorious, 5-2, on Dec. 5. In both cases, the home team won.

They’ll play one last time this regular season on Feb. 2, during said road trip.

Red Deer is now 27-13-1-4, fourth in the Eastern Conference, while Brandon falls 22-18-4-1, fifth in the conference.

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Scoring summary

Red Deer would get out to a sizeable lead in this one, starting with a goal from Evan Smith (3rd) at 13:50 of the first.

Jhett Larson (10th) doubled the home team’s lead with a power play marker at 18:23 of the opening frame, and it was 2-0 headed to the intermission.

With 5:55 remaining in the second, Carson Birnie (9th) dug the hole deeper for Brandon, making it 3-0 after 40 minutes.

In the third, the pressure was on, and the Wheat Kings responded as Nolan Flamand (12) scored with the man advantage at 10:48 to make it 3-1.

A mere 1:28 later, Rylen Roersma (17th) scored another for the visitors, unassisted, and it was suddenly 3-2.

But the Rebels’ leading scorer and captain, Kai Uchacz (27th), got one back at 15:15 of the third, and the two-goal lead was restored.

But hold the phone, as Brett Hyland (25th) had another answer for Brandon, cutting the lead to just one with 2:34 remaining in regulation.

Unfortunately for the Wheaties, it was too little, too late, and Uchacz (28th) potted an empty netter at 18:42 to secure the two points.

Final score: 5-3 Rebels.

Chase Wutzke (15-2-1-2) made 27 stops for the Rebels, and Ethan Eskit stopped 36 pucks in the loss.

Shots

BDN: 30

RD: 41

Power play

BDN: 1/3

RD: 1/4

Three stars

1st: Jhett Larson (RD) – 1 goal, 1 assist

2nd: Ryler Roersma (BDN) – 1 goal, 1 assist

3rd: Samuel Drancak (RD) – 2 assists

Central Division watch (playoff position; top 8 in conference qualify)

Med Hat – 62 points (2nd)
Red Deer – 59 points (4th)
Swift Current – 48 points (6th)
Lethbridge – 47 points (7th)
Calgary – 44 points (9th)
Edmonton – 32 points (11th)

Up next for the Rebels is the start of a five-game road trip, Jan. 31 in Prince Albert. The Rebels are 16-7-0-0 on the road this season. Puck drop on Wednesday is at 6 p.m. MT, with the broadcast live on 106.7 REWIND Radio at 5:50.