The Rebels Arshdeep Bains tries to put one past Hitmen goaltender Ethan Buenaventura at the Scotiabank Saddeldome in Calgary on Sunday, Dec. 19, 20201. (Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator)

By Sheldon Spackman

3-2 Win

Rebels edge Hitmen in overtime

Dec 19, 2021 | 5:11 PM

Despite being heavily outshot, the Red Deer Rebels earned themselves a 3-2 overtime win over the Hitmen in Calgary on Sunday. It was the second half of a home and home series with the boys from Cowtown over the weekend.

The Rebels opened the scoring at 2:33 when Arshdeep Bains potted his 15^th goal of the season, on the power play, following a cross checking penalty to the Hitmen’s Blake Heward. Ben King and Christoffer Sedoff assisted on the play.

Calgary responded later in the period though when Brandon Whynott scored his third of the season, also on the power play, following a slashing penalty to Red Deer’s Jayden Grubbe. Blake Allan and Bake Heward were credited with helpers.

It was 1-1 after 20 minutes, with Calgary outshooting Red Deer 11-6.

The Rebels regained the lead at 12:37 of the second period when Jayden Grubbe scored his sixth goal of the season, again on the power play, following a slashing penalty to the Hitmen’s Jackson van de Leest. Arshdeep Bains and Ben King assisted on the play.

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That lead was short-lived however, as Calgary’s Blake Allan scored his third of the season at 14:47, which also came on the power play, after a roughing penalty to the Rebels Jayden Grubbe. Assists came from Cael Zimmerman and Blake Heward.

The score was tied at 2 after 40 minutes, with Calgary significantly outshooting Red Deer 24-7 in the middle frame.

No scoring took place in the third, with the Rebels Kalan Lind, however, being assessed a five minute major for charging and a game misconduct at 11:20. The Hitmen were unable to capitalize with the man advantage though, so the score remained tied 2-2 after 60 minutes of play.

Calgary outshot Red Deer 12-2 in the third period.

Overtime was quick though, as the Rebels Ben King put one past Calgary netminder Ethan Buenaventura just 57 seconds in, to make it a 3-2 overtime final in favour of Red Deer. It was King’s 19^th goal of the season and third point of the game. Christoffer Sedoff assisted on the play.

The goal was the only shot on net in extra time and ended the game with Calgary outshooting Red Deer 49-16.

Penalties were a factor throughout the contest, as Calgary went 2/9 with the man advantage, while Red Deer went 2/4.

Rebels goalie Connor Ungar was named the game’s first star, while Calgary’s Blake Allan was named second star, and Red Deer’s Ben King the third star.

The overtime victory improves the Rebels record to 20-9-1-1 with 42 points on the season, good for second place in the WHL’s Central Division. Calgary, meanwhile, drops to 11-11-3-2 with 27 points and third place in the Central Division.

The Rebels now take a break for the holiday season before returning to action on Tuesday Dec. 28 when they take on the Blades in Saskatoon. Face-off is 7 p.m.