(file photo rdnewsNOW staff)

By Ian Gustafson

They're rolling

Rebels erase two-goal deficit to defeat Blades in shootout

Dec 4, 2024 | 9:17 PM

The Red Deer Rebels erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to win 5-4 in a shootout against the Saskatoon Blades.

On Wednesday night in front of 3,332 fans at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Rebels forward Matthew Gard scored the game winner in the shootout and goaltender Chase Wutzke made 29 saves in the victory.

With the win, the Rebels inch closer to the Eastern Conference leading Blades and move into third place with a 14-10-1-2 record. The Rebels also take over second place in the Central Division with their fourth straight win.

The Blades found the back of the net first just 16 seconds into the game off the stick of Brandon Lisowsky who beat goaltender Chase Wutzke on the offensive rush passed through the crease by Ben Saunderson.

Saskatoon extended their lead with 7:24 left in the opening period scored by Ben Riche.

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However, the Rebels cut into the deficit nearly three minutes later when rookie forward Beckett Hamilton buried an opportunity in front of the net after Trae Wilke fed him after skating down the right side.

In the second period, Saskatoon reinstated their two-goal lead scored by Lukas Hansen midway through the frame.

In the third period, the Rebels scored back-to-back goals from Kalan Lind and Hunter Mayo to tie the game.

Lind’s tally came 3:13 into the period on the powerplay after he ripped a shot past the goalie in the slot. Over three minutes later, Mayo walked in from the blue line and jumped on a rebound for his 10th goal of the season.

Late in the game, Red Deer took their first lead of the evening scored by defenceman Derek Thurston who’s shot made its way through traffic and in.

In the final two minutes, the Blades capitalized on a Rebels penalty to tie the game with 1:19 remaining to send it to overtime.

In the extra period, both teams had plenty of scoring chances but the Blades were awarded a powerplay at the tail end of the frame. Despite that, Red Deer’s defence stood tall and kept the game tied.

In the shootout, both shooters were denied first until Jaxon Fuder scored but Saskatoon’s Tyler Parr tied it the next shot. After a couple more rounds, Matthew Gard ended it in the fifth round.

The Rebels were without defenceman Matteo Fabrizi (week-to-week upper body), Ollie Josephson (day-to-day upper body), and Jhett Larson (to be determined upper body).

Red Deer will have a day off on Thursday before heading to Brandon on Friday night to take on the Wheat Kings at 6 p.m. mountain time. They will then head to Swift Current on Saturday for a matchup with the Broncos at 6 p.m.