Rebels edge Oil Kings in preseason finale

“It was a good challenge for us coming off a quick turnaround for some of these young guys who maybe haven’t experienced playing a game in Lethbridge and having to get back here arriving late in the morning. Our response was awesome,” Kisio said. “We played hard throughout the lineup. I liked the way we played, and we got better and better throughout camp, which is the main thing.”

He added that he’s liked the strides the team has made in a short amount of time.

“I think we’ve taken a lot of steps. Our discipline could still improve, and that’s something to work upon, but there were a lot of good things from a lot of players.”

Kisio explained he’s liked what he’s seen out of Madill, who’s just 16 years old.

“The challenge for him is going to be: can he do it every day and can he be consistent? As a young guy, that’s a really hard challenge, and it’s a lot to ask. [He’s been] impressive so far, beautiful goal tonight, and I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Madill opened the scoring just under five minutes into the opening period. After a feed from defenceman Jake Missura in front of the net, Madill made a move to his backhand to beat the goalie.

In the second period, 20-year-old forward Luc Trevors, who the Rebels picked up in the offseason, scored a nifty goal with 14:15 to go.

Trevors, who played for the Hitmen last season, flipped the puck past a defender along the boards before making a toe-drag move around the final man and firing the puck under the pad of the goalie. He nearly had another later in the frame but was robbed on a breakaway attempt.

The Oil Kings finally got on the board less than a minute into the third period, scored by defenceman Josh Lee.

The Rebels answered a few minutes later to lead 3-1. Defenceman Graeme Pickering walked in from the left circle and scored after a move to his backhand. Madill earned an assist on the play.

However, the Oil Kings answered just over a minute later off the stick of Jensen Marsh to make it a one-goal game.

The Rebels sealed the deal with an empty-net goal from forward Patrick Sopiarz with 1:07 remaining.

The two squads also played a five-minute overtime period of three-on-three as part of the WHL’s pilot project to test out potential new rules.

Forward Cameron Kuzma scored 30 seconds into the extra frame to wrap up the game.

Forward Poul Andersen said postgame that the team has gotten progressively better over the last few weeks.

He said today was another step in the right direction.

“I think there’s a lot to work on still, but it’s early, and I think we’ve made huge strides so far, which is good to see early on,” Andersen said.

Next up, the Rebels will prepare for the season opener, which is set for next Friday, Sept. 18, in Calgary at 7 p.m.

Red Deer will then host the Oil Kings for the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

by Ian Gustafson

Rebels edge Oil Kings in preseason finale

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