The Red Deer Rebels' Kai Uchacz plays against the Saskatoon Blades at the Peavey MArt Centrium on Wednesday night. (Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator)

By Alessia Proietti

4-2 Blades

Blades earn season saving victory over Rebels

Apr 19, 2023 | 10:45 PM

Playing for a berth in the WHL’s Eastern Conference final, the Red Deer Rebels lost 4-2 against the Saskatoon Blades Wednesday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

In the first period, the Blades’ Justin Lies was given penalties for checking to the head and a game misconduct, leaving the Rebels’ Kalan Lind unmoving and taken off the ice by stretcher. Officials said he was later transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital and was responsive.

With Saskatoon’s Egor Sidorov serving the 5 minute checking to the head penalty and the Rebels with a two man advantage, Red Deer’s Kai Uchacz capitalized on the power play, scoring his fifth goal of the playoffs with a backhand over the pads of Saskatoon goaltender Ethan Chadwick. Assisted by Jace Isley and Jayden Grubbe at 6:27, the Rebels opened the scoring 1-0.

At 13:05, Red Deer’s Kai Uchacz scored a back-to-back goal, assisted by Jace Isley once again. His sixth goal during the playoffs brought the home team to a 2-0 lead.

After 20 minutes of play, the Rebels outshot the Blades 9-8.

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Then, midway through the second period, the Blades’ Aidan De La Gorgendiere scored his first of the playoffs at 12:09, beating Rebels goaltender Kyle Kelsey on the power play as teammate Matteo Fabrizi sat in the box for interference. Trevor Wong and Jake Chiasson assisted on the play and put the visiting team on the board 2-1.

Red Deer outshot Saskatoon 15-9 in the second period and 24-17 after 40 minutes.

In the final period, the Blades tied the game 2-2 just four minutes in when Jayden Wiens scored his fifth goal of the post season, assisted by Vaughn Watterodt.

A short 43 seconds later, Saskatoon put themselves in a 3-2 lead when Brandon Lisowsky scored his third goal during the playoffs with Ben Saunderson and Tanner Molendyk claiming the assists.

Coming in threes, the Blades’ Tanner Molendyk then scored one of his own at 8:15, doubling their lead to 4-2. Aidan De La Gorgendiere and Trevor Wong assisted on what would be an insurance goal for Saskatoon.

Although the Rebels pulled out goaltender Kyle Kelsey twice in an attempt towards redemption, it was to no avail.

The Rebels outshot the Blades in the third period (12-7) and overall (36-24).

The Rebels went 1/3 on the power play while the Blades went 1/1 with the man advantage.

Rebels Coach Steve Konowalchuk said the team needs to move past this loss and come back stronger for the next game.

“We were in position to win that game but it didn’t happen so now we just got to move forward,” he said. “It’s playoff hockey; it’s never easy so we got to just get some rest tonight and get on the road and get ready for battle.”

Konowalchuk said he did not have an update on Lind’s condition by the end of the game.

“It’s hard when you see that happen to one of your teammates,” he said.

“That’s never something you wish upon anyone, especially your teammate. I think he’s in good hands right now so we’ll be keeping an eye on him,” said Rebels Captain Kai Uchacz about Lind.

He said the team expected a big push from the Blades as they played a good game.

“We’re going to reset here, get on the bus tomorrow, get there, prepare like we have all series and get back to it,” he said.

The Blades’ Aidan De La Gorgendiere who had one goal and one assist for two points on the night was awarded the third star of the game. The Rebels’ Kai Uchacz who scored both of Red Deer’s goals was given the second star, while Brandon Lisowsky, who scored what turned out to be the game winning goal for Saskatoon, was named first star.

The Rebels will have another chance at winning their second round playoff series with the Blades on Friday at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. MT with the broadcast live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.