(Photo by Taylor Lachance/ Red Deer Rebels)

By Ian Gustafson

Home loss

Rebels two-game win streak comes to an end against Oil Kings

Oct 20, 2024 | 7:20 PM

With a chance to become the sole leader of the Central Division, the Rebels were blown out 5-1 by the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday afternoon at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

Oil Kings forward Gracyn Sawchyn finished with two goals and an assist and their goaltender Alex Worthington stood on his head and made 41 saves on 42 shots.

Meanwhile, Rebels defenceman Luke Vlooswyk was the lone goal scorer for Red Deer and netminder Rhett Stoesser was pulled at the end of the second period after allowing four goals on 19 shots.

Goalie Chase Wutzke played the remainder of the game and made eight saves on nine shots.

Despite being dominated at home, Rebels head coach Dave Struch believes it wasn’t for a lack of effort from his players.

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“There’s no question. We just generated 43 shots but we only scored one goal, that’s the unfortunate side,” he said.

“The breakdown in our attention to detail defensively, not picking up our guys, and obviously taking penalties hurts us. Our compete for 60 minutes tonight was great.

“It gives us lots to work off of and something to word toward on a big game Friday night next week.”

The Oil Kings got on the board first in the opening period with a pair back-to-back goals a 1:15 between one another.

Sawchyn fired in a one-timer from the left circle on the powerplay with under five minutes to go followed by a goal from Jack Toogood.

Sawchyn scored his second of the game just 42 seconds into the second period when he tucked the puck in on the left side of the net between the post and the goaltender.

Edmonton made it 4-0 late in the period on the powerplay off the stick of Roan Woodward.

Red Deer finally got on the board at the 4:51 mark of the third period scored by Vlooswyk. His point shot made it’s way through lots of traffc in front of the net before beating the goaltender.

Rebels nearly had another goal on the powerplay but after an Oil Kings defender covered the puck with his hand in the crease, Red Deer was awarded a penalty shot. Rebels forward Samuel Drancak was the shooter but was denied on a quick move toward the goalie’s five hole.

Edmonton added their fifth goal of the evening on the powerplay scored by import Miroslav Holinka. The rookie was fed in the slot and made no mistake.

Red Deer outshot their opponents 43-28 but could only buy one goal. Struch explained to score more they’re going to have to work for more opportunities.

“We worked for them tonight but there’s more to give,” he added.

“We need more guys getting to the net. We were pounding pucks to the net all night but the second opportunities weren’t there. We have to get there, engage in there, and stay in it. That’s the message to the guys and we’ll work on it this week.”

The Oil Kings finished the game with three powerplay tallys on five opportunities. Meanwhile, the Rebels were held scoreless on three powerplays.

That side of the game also continues to be a work in progress.

“It’s something we work on every day. We’re going to keep grinding it out and find the solution.”

The three stars of the game were all awarded to Oil Kings players including Sawchyn, Worthington, and Lukas Sawchyn, who had two assists in the victory.

The Rebels were without Jeramiah Roberts, Kasper Pikkarainen, Jack Bousquet, and Kalan Lind.

It’s unknown why Bousquet and Roberts were out of the lineup. However, Lind and Pikkarainen were both listed on the WHL’s weekly report at the beginning of the week as out with lower body injuries. There’s currently no timetable for their return.

Red Deer remains in a three-way tie with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Lethbridge Hurricanes for second place in the Eastern Conference with a 6-4-1-0 record. They’re also tied for first place in the Central Division with the Hurricanes.

The Rebels will return to action next Friday, Oct. 25 against the Medicine Hat Tigers at 7 p.m. at the Centrium.

They’ll then hit the road on Saturday to take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 6 p.m. at the visitlethbridge.com Arena.

You can listen to every Red Deer Rebels game on 106.7 Rewind Radio.