By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

playoff implications

Rebels defeated by Broncos in 7-5 thriller

Mar 1, 2024 | 9:53 PM

It what was bound to be a highly competitive game, the Red Deer Rebels (30-21-2-6) and Swift Current Broncos (32-19-4-2) put on a barn-burner Friday at the Centrium — the Broncos skating to a 7-5 victory on Arron Asham Bobblehead Night.

Coming in, Red Deer sat two points back of the Broncos for second in the Central Division; and five behind Medicine Hat, who also won Friday, for the top spot

This was the fourth of five meetings between the clubs this season; Red Deer won 3-2 at home Dec. 14, then won 5-4 (OT) in Swift Current on Dec. 30, and the Broncos won 4-3 on their home ice Feb. 6.

They’ll go head-to-head once more March 20.

Scoring summary

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Red Deer found itself under siege early in what a wild first period.

Swift Current broke the deadlock just 2:19 in when Mathew Ward (15th) scored, and then at 4:29, Josh Filmon (29th) made it 2-0 for the visiting Broncos.

Red Deer fought back, however, getting the first back off the stick of Frantisek Formanek (20th) at 10:38.

Luke Vlooswyk (1st) then tied things up at 15:42, getting the first of his WHL career in his second career game (he played one last season).

But the celebration was short-lived as only 1:17 later, Luke Mistelbacher (16th) gave the Broncos the lead once again.

Then with 19 seconds remaining in the first, Connor Hvidston (25th) notched a power play goal, and it was 4-2 for the Swifties after 20 minutes.

In the second, it took but 100 seconds for Red Deer to score, Samuel Drancak (10th) making it 4-3.

The middle frame was a lot quieter goal-wise, but Conor Geekie (35th) restored the two-goal lead on the power play with just seven seconds on the clock, and it was 5-3 after 40.

In the third, it was Swift Current extending their lead early once again when Mistelbacher (17th) converted only 46 seconds in, making it 6-3 away team.

But at 3:50, Jhett Larson (13th) got one back, cutting the deficit to two.

The Rebels cut it down to one when Mats Lindgren (8th) scored with one minute left in regulation, making it 6-5.

But with the Rebels’ net empty, Rylan Gould (18th) iced it away with 39 seconds remaining.

Final score: 7-5 Broncos.

Chase Wutzke allowed four goals on 13 shots before being replaced by Rhett Stoesser, who then allowed two goals on 11 shots. Reid Dick made 33 saves in the win for Swift Current.

Shots

SC: 25

RD: 38

Power play

SC: 2/4

RD: 0/3

Three stars

1st: Clarke Caswell (SC) – 3 assists

2nd: Frantisek Formanek (RD) – 1 goal, 3 assists

3rd: Luke Mistelbacher (SC) – 2 goals

Up next for the Rebels is three straight against the Calgary Hitmen, starting Saturday, March 2 at home (7 p.m. puck drop). They play again in Calgary on March 8, then meet once more in Red Deer at 7 p.m. on March 9.

Following that, the Rebels will have five games remaining in the regular season, March 15 at Lethbridge, March 16 at home to Lethbridge, March 20 in Swift Current, March 23 at home versus Edmonton, and March 24 in Edmonton.

Broadcasts can be heard live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.

READ MORE

• Rebels to host Arron Asham Bobblehead Night on March 1