Rebels earn comeback OT win over Spokane

When the Spokane Chiefs took a late third period lead the Red Deer Rebels could very easily have folded tent and moved on to the next game.

Instead, the Rebels tied it up in the dying seconds of the third period before scoring in overtime to down the Chiefs 4-3.

It’s the third time already this season that the Rebels have won a game in which they trailed after two periods.

Spokane jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on a pair of goals from Hudson Elynuik, one on a tip in at the 4:30 mark, the other on a rebound put in at 14:02.

Red Deer netted a key goal late in the period, with 37.2 seconds on the clock, as Lane Zablocki collected his fourth goal of the season and 50th of his WHL career. The power play tally made it a 2-1 game through 20 minutes.

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Neither team was able to strike for a goal in the second period. The Rebels suffered a tough injury blow when Austin Pratt was crushed by Tyson Helgeson. Pratt remained on the ice for a few minutes before making his way slowly to the Rebels dressing room. The Rebels found themselves shorthanded after Grayson Pawlenchuck started a fight with Helgeson after the hit but were able to kill off the penalty. Pratt did not return to the game.

In the third, Zablocki cashed in another power play goal, thanks largely to a great cross-crease pass from Brandon Hagel, to tie this game 2-2 at the 4:57 mark.

Spokane regained the lead just under nine minutes later when Nolan Reid ripped a shot past Rebels goalie Ethan Anders, extending his goal scoring streak to six games.

With Anders on the bench, the Rebels set the stage for overtime at 19:21 of period three as Brandon Hagel tipped a Dawson Barteaux point shot past Chiefs netminder and Red Deer native Dawson Weatherill. Hagel’s fifth tally of the year made it a 3-3 game through sixty minutes.

In the extra frame, Spokane took an early penalty then withstood a Rebels shooting gallery. The Chiefs somehow survived long enough to get to 4 on 4 play following the penalty.

The Rebels kept pressing, though, and would be rewarded when Jared Dmytriw tipped home a pass from Reese Johnson for the game winning goal with 1:21 showing on the clock.

Red Deer outshot Spokane 33-28 on the night. The Rebels were 2/6 on the power play and held the Chiefs to 0/6. 

The Rebels put the wraps on their six-game home stand Saturday night when they entertain the Memorial Cup host Regina Pat at 7 p.m. (106.7 The Drive)

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The Rebels made two more roster moves Friday, sending forward Chase Lowry to the Olds Grizzlies of the AJHL and Dawson Martin to a Jr. A. team to be determined.