(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

blades lead series 1-0

Rebels drop Eastern semi-final opener to Saskatoon 4-1

Apr 12, 2024 | 9:45 PM

The Red Deer Rebels kept things close, but fell 4-1 to the Saskatoon Blades in game one of their WHL Eastern Conference semi-final on Friday.

Emanating from the SaskTel Centre, the Rebels began their quest to right last year’s wrong that was the reverse sweep inflicted on them by the very same Blades.

Unfortunately for Rebels fans, and the team itself, they’ll have to climb back into this one, down 1-0 in the best-of-seven.

—

SERIES PREVIEW: Rebels’ focus is on the moment, but revenge for past playoff defeat motivation ahead of Saskatoon series

COUNSEL: "THIS IS ANOTHER CANCEL CULTURE

Judicial Review of ousted ex-Red Deer school trustee begins in Court of King's Bench

12h ago

Fire Permitting System Reopened

Lacombe County lifts fire restriction

15h ago

may 4 at bower place

United Way Central Alberta collecting donations for Menstrual Health Day

16h ago

—

Coach Struch after tonight’s setback in Saskatoon pic.twitter.com/krvejKT0Q4

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) April 13, 2024

Scoring summary

Fraser Minten (2nd) got Saskatoon on the board first in game one, scoring 8:32 in.

It was an otherwise low-event period, with one penalty to Red Deer for too many men just two minutes in, and the Blades outshooting Red Deer 6-3.

Red Deer equalized in the second when Carson Birnie (2nd) scored at 5:29.

But Vaughn Watterodt (1st) scored what was the eventual game-winner at 8:59, and Minten (3rd) got his second of the game at 13:02 of the period, on the power play, for a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

In the third, there was a window of opportunity for Red Deer who had four minutes of power play time when Tanner Molendyk was sent off for high-sticking just two minutes in.

However, capitalizing wasn’t in the cards.

Saskatoon would hold on late and Brandon Lisowsky (2nd) salted it away into the empty net with just 49 seconds remaining.

Final score: 4-1 Saskatoon.

Between the pipes on this night, Evan Gardner earned the W by making 16 saves, while the Rebels’ Chase Wutzke stopped 20 of 23 he faced in defeat.

Shots

RD: 17

SAS: 24

Power play

RD: 0/2

SAS: 1/3

Three stars

1st: Fraser Minten (SAS) – 2 goals, 1 assist, +2

2nd: Vaughn Watterodt (SAS) – 1 goal, +3

3rd: Evan Gardner (SAS) – 16 saves

Series schedule

Game 2 Sunday, April 14 Red Deer @ Saskatoon 4:00 p.m.

Game 3 Tuesday, April 16 Saskatoon @ Red Deer 7:00 p.m.

Game 4 Wednesday, April 17 Saskatoon @ Red Deer 7:00 p.m.

Game 5* Friday, April 19 Red Deer @ Saskatoon 7:00 p.m.

Game 6* Sunday, April 21 Saskatoon @ Saskatoon 2:00 p.m.

Game 7* Tuesday, April 23 Red Deer @ Saskatoon 7:00 p.m.

*- If necessary

Every game can be heard live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.

—

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter, and download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.