Rivalry on full display in Rebels victory over Oil Kings

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There was plenty of trash talking, speed, high-quality scoring chances, and multiple bone-rattling body checks.

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Pretty much everything fans want out of a hockey game.

And the game wrapped up just as expected with multiple scraps after the final buzzer that resulted in 32 minutes of roughing penalties, 16 on each side.

Involved in the multi-player dust up was Rebels captain Ollie Josephson.

“I don’t know if it’s full on hatred but it’s definitely a rivalry,” Josephson said postgame. “We definitely get up for those games and they’re really competitive, fun to play in, and we’re looking forward to Monday.”

The Oil Kings won’t have to wait long for a chance at revenge as they’ll return for a Family Day rematch at 2 p.m.

“I think it was a big part of the win too, us just being physical, fast, and just competing all over the ice was the reason we won,” he added.

“It’s always fun but when there’s games like that and we play a team eight times a year, you definitely get used to them. You start to get competitive rivalries and they’re good to get up for.”

Kalan Lind, Samuel Drancak, and Talon Brigley all scored for the Rebels in the win and goaltender Chase Wutzke, who was named first star of the game, made 25 saves on 26 shots.

“We built off our last game in Lethbridge,” said Rebels head coach Dave Struch. “We played a good hard physical game. Everybody competed, every player, which we talked about the other night and tonight was a great team effort.

“Chase Wutzke was great in the moments he needed to be and the details we always talk about like blocking shots, getting good clears, and making hard plays. We scored some goals tonight at some opportunistic times.”

In the opening frame, despite outshooting Edmonton 15-5, the Rebels were unable to buy a goal.

The Oil Kings found the back of the net on powerplay with 8:37 left in the first period. Oil King’s Gavin Hodnett accepted a short pass from Lukas Sawchyn and made a quick move before firing a shot past Wutzke.

However, the Rebels converted on an opportunity early in the second period off the stick of import forward Samuel Drancak. The Czechia, native carried the puck from the defensive end and ripped a wrist from the right circle on the offensive rush that beat the goalie up high.

Later in the frame, the Rebels nearly took the lead while on the penalty kill. Forward Talon Brigley forced a turnover at the blue line and was sprung on a break away but the goaltender came up with a big save.

With 2:46 left in the period, Kalan Lind put the Rebels on top when he pounced on a big rebound in the slot and shot it into the open net. The rebound came after defenceman Luke Vlooswyk ripped a shot that deflected off the goalies right pad.

However, immediately following the goal the officials gave Lind a 10-minute misconduct after it appeared he said something to the Edmonton bench but did get to remain in the game.

In the third period, the Rebels sealed the deal with an empty net goal from Brigley with a bit over a minute left in the game.

This Family Day matinee matchup on Monday will include a United Way Sockey Toss and Paint the Ice postgame party.

The Sockey Toss fundraiser is a United Way initiative to collect warm socks for those in need in central Alberta. Attendees can bring their own or pick up a pair from community partners at the doors, then throw them on the ice during the second intermission.

“I think it’s really important our guys believe we can beat this team,” Struch added. “We have another game against them on Monday and I think it’s key that we have to keep playing playoff hockey and see what happens down the stretch here.”