Rebels lose 7-4 to Blazers

The Blazers had control over the first period with Connor Levis scoring his 14^th goal of the season at 13:29 on Rebels goaltender Kyle Kelsey. Assisted by Fraser Minten and Olen Zellweger, Kamloops opened the score 1-0.

Less than one minute later, the Blazers’ Olen Zellweger scored his 18^th goal this season, with Logan Stankoven and Caedan Bankier claiming the assists. Kamloops now led 2-0.

And with Red Deer’s Jhett Larson sent to the box for slashing, Kamloops’ Caedan Bankier capitalized on the power play in the final 20 seconds of the period. With his 26^th goal of the season assisted by Logan Stankoven and Matthew Seminoff, the Blazers led 3-0.

After 20 minutes of play, Kamloops outshot the Rebels 21-4.

In the middle frame, with both teams one man down, the Rebels’ Jace Isley passed the puck to Jace Weir who managed to carry it down below the goal line. Sending it to Ben King in the slot, he scored his 13^th goal of the season on Kamloops netminder Dylan Ernst at 6:08. The Rebels were now on the board, 3-1.

However, when Red Deer’s Kai Uchacz was given a slashing penalty, the Blazers’ Matthew Seminoff scored his 23^rd goal of the season. The power play goal was assisted by former-Rebel Kyle Masters and Olen Zellweger at 8:01, pushing their lead to 4-1.

The Rebels came in hot for a comeback though, scoring the following three consecutive goals. Carson Birnie scored his seventh goal of the season on a rebound from his teammate Craig Armstrong’s initial shot on goal, later to claim the assist. The team cut the deficit to 4-2 at 11:35.

Then, when the Blazers’ Ryan Michael was sent to the box for holding, Red Deer’s Kai Uchacz scored his 41^st goal this WHL season from the face-off point at 14:13. The power play goal was assisted by Ben King and Mats Lindgren to bring the team to within one of the Blazers, 4-3.

The Rebels would then tie the game 4-4 when Jhett Larson made his way around the net with the puck to score his 13^th goal of the season from the face-off with 45 seconds left to the period. Although there was some concern of goalie interference, the goal, assisted by Craig Armstrong and Matteo Fabrizi, was allowed.

In the second period, the Rebels outshot the Blazers 13-11.

In the final period, the Rebels could not push their tie to a lead. When Red Deer’s Mats Lindgren was given a high sticking penalty, the Blazers’ Kyle Masters scored his ninth goal of the season at 2:38. The power play goal was assisted by Olen Zellweger and Logan Stankoven. The visiting team now led 5-4.

On another power play, Kamloops’ Daylan Kuefler scored his 27^th goal of the season at 4:26 while Red Deer’s Craig Armstrong sat in the box for slew-footing. Connor Levis and Fraser Minten claimed the assists for a 6-4 lead.

Finally, Kamloops’ Logan Bairos scored his seventh goal this season at 10:45 with the help of Connor Levis, to conclude the score at 7-4 for the Blazers.

Although both teams were tied for shots on goal in the third period (10-10), the Blazers outshot the Rebels overall 42-27.

The Blazers went 4/5 on the power play while the Rebels went 1/2 with the man advantage.

Rebels Coach Steve Konowalchuk said the game was frustrating as the team did well in the second period and normally have good penalty kills.

“Overall, we didn’t have too many guys with a sharp game. Maybe one or two I could count with a sharp game, obviously not to the standards we expect. As a staff and I’m sure the players, are not happy with that performance,” he said.

“It’s a tie-tie hockey game going in the third and we’re usually a smarter hockey team but certainly not [in the] third period.”

He says coaches and players need to look in the mirror and do better mentally and physically for tomorrow night’s game.

The Rebels’ Ben King was given the third star for his goal and assist this game. The Blazers’ Logan Stankoven was given the second star for his three assists while his teammate Olen Zellweger was awarded the first star for his goal and three assists.

Despite the loss, the Rebels remain in first place in the WHL’s Central Division with a record of 36-13-1-3 while the Blazers also remain in first place in the B.C. Division at 34-10-4-2.

The Rebels will play the Medicine Hat Tigers tomorrow night at Co-op Place. Face-off is at 7 p.m. with the broadcast live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.

by Alessia Proietti

Rebels lose 7-4 to Blazers

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