(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

5-4 OVERTIME WIN

Rebels break losing streak on Calgary Hitmen ice

Oct 16, 2024 | 10:40 PM

The Red Deer Rebels broke their three-game losing streak after a5-4 overtime win against the Calgary Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome Oct. 16.

The Rebels came out of the gate strong, with Cohen Poulin scoring his fourth goal of the season at just 5:15 into the first period, with assistance from Trae Wilke and Jake Missura, putting the visitors up 1-0.

Calgary then got two power play opportunities due to minors by Carson Birnie and Evan Smith, but failed to take advantage.

Red Deer’s Jaxon Fuder then scored his first of the season at 19:10, with assistance from Talon Brigley, bringing the score to 2-0.

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By the end of the frame, the Hitmen led in shots on goal 12-10 while Red Deer maintained their 2-0 lead.

Period two saw a similar amount of action, with Hunter Mayo giving Red Deer a 3-0 lead at just 3:13. He was assisted by Jaxon Fuder and Jhett Larson, on the power play following a tripping penalty to Calgary’s Dax Williams. It was Mayo’s fourth of the season.

The Hitmen rushed to make up the difference though, and Ben Kindel scored his third of the season shortly after at 7:18, assisted by Axel Hurtig, narrowing Red Deer’s lead to 3-1.

Building on his momentum, Kindel took advantage of a power play opportunity and sunk the puck again at 12:46 with assistance from Oliver Tulk and Carter Yakemchuk.

Calgary ended the period one goal behind, trailing 3-2 and outshooting Red Deer 12-10 in the middle frame and 24-20 to that point.

The Hitmen wasted no time in tying the game during a power play in the third period, however, sending Carter Yakemchuk to score at 2:12, his second of the season, and bringing the score to 3-3. He was assisted by Ben Kindel and Oliver Tulk following a hooking penalty to Red Deer’s Ollie Josephson.

Defenceman Luke Vlooswyk gained Red Deer back its lead with his first goal of the season at 4:33, giving the Rebels a 4-3 advantage with assistance from Samuel Drancak and Hunter Mayo.

Both teams fought hard to keep the puck out of their zone, but Calgary later took advantage of another power play and tied the game again 4-4 with a goal from Carson Wetsch at 10:48. His third of the season was assisted by Oliver Tulk and Carter Yakemchuk.

Period three saw both teams bring their shots on goal to 36.

The 4-4 tie sent the game to overtime, where a shot on the Rebels’ goal landed just on the line before Chase Wutzke luckily swept it away.

Red Deer didn’t give the Hitmen another chance though, ending the game 5-4 with a goal from Hunter Mayo just over two minutes into overtime at 2:22, with assistance from Matthew Gard and Samuel Drancak. It was Mayo’s fifth goal of the season.

Both teams took one shot during overtime, bringing the final shots on goal to 37-37.

The Rebels went 1/2 on the power play while Calgary went 3/7 with the man advantage.

Three Stars:

1. Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen – G2, A1, +/- -1.

2. Hunter Mayo, Red Deer Rebels – G2, A1, +/- +2.

3. Jaxon Fuder, Red Deer Rebels – G1, A1, +/- +1.

The Rebels return to home ice for their next game, against the Saskatoon Blades on Oct. 19. Puck drops at 7 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium for the teams’ first season matchup. You can listen live at 106.7 Rewind Radio.

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