Red Deer Rebels clinch Central Division in 2-1 win against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium. (Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator)

By Alessia Proietti

Champions

Rebels clinch division title in 2-1 win over Hurricanes

Mar 8, 2023 | 11:04 PM

The Red Deer Rebels clinched their first WHL Central Division title in over a decade with a 2-1 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

The last time the Rebels achieved this title was during the 2010-11 season. The Rebels will face the Hurricanes two more times before the close of the regular season, however.

Rebels goaltender Chase Coward also returned to the ice in his first game this season following a lengthy medical leave due to lower body issues.

READ: Rebels share update regarding Chase Coward

In an electrifying first period, the Rebels’ Jace Isley slipped the puck through the Hurricanes defenceman’s legs before passing it to Ben King, both claiming the assists to a backhanded goal by Kai Uchacz on Lethbridge goaltender Bryan Thomson. At 13:31, his 47^th goal of the season put the Rebels on the board 1-0.

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After 20 minutes of play, the Rebels outshot the Hurricanes 13-5.

In the middle frame, Red Deer’s Hunter Mayo was sent to the box for roughing. Nevertheless, Jhett Larson managed to score a shorthanded goal from the slot in a two-on-one rush at 14:04. His 15^th goal this season was assisted by Jayden Grubbe, putting the team in a 2-0 lead.

The Rebels once again outshot the Hurricanes 13-5 in the second period.

In the final period, the Hurricanes pulled their goaltender Bryan Thomson out of the net twice in the final three minutes, but had to return him to his position both times as players were sent to the box shortly afterwards.

With Lethbridge’s Cole Shepard given a tripping penalty and then the Rebels’ Jayden Grubbe given an interference penalty just over one minute later, the Hurricanes pulled out their goaltender once again.

Although still shorthanded, the move was to their advantage as Lethbridge’s Chase Pauls scored his sixth goal of the season on Rebels netminder Chase Coward with just 17 seconds left in the game. Assisted by Joe Arnsten and Jett Jones, the game finished 2-1 still in favour of the Rebels.

Lethbridge slightly outshot Red Deer in the third period 11-10 but the Rebels outshot the Hurricanes overall (36-21).

Both teams went 0/4 on the power play.

Rebels coach Steve Konowalchuk said the game was played with a solid effort from the entire team.

“Everybody contributed; there were no passengers,” he said, particularly noting Jhett Larson who was “on every puck”, Craig Armstrong’s speed to increase scoring chances, and goaltender Chase Coward for his return to the ice. “All of those things just continue to build momentum throughout the game and keep momentum.”

Regarding the team’s division title win, Konowalchuk said he was proud of the big accomplishment, adding the players deserved to enjoy the night.

“There are good hockey teams in this league and in our division. At the start of any season, that’s really your first goal: win your division. It’s fun to win it against the team that’s chasing you and I thought our guys had that mindset,” he said.

The Rebels hold a record of 40-17-2-3 and in first place in the Central Division while the Hurricanes sit in second with 32-23-3-3.

The Rebels earned all three stars of the night’s game as well with goaltender Chase Coward receiving the third star for saving 20 of 21 shots on goal. Jhett Larson earned the second star for his eventual game-winning goal and Kai Uchacz who opened the game’s scoring, was awarded the first star.

The Rebels will next play against the Calgary Hitmen Friday night to begin a home and home series starting at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. with the broadcast live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.