By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Rebels skid to loss against Ice to close out home schedule

Mar 16, 2018 | 10:10 PM

The Red Deer Rebels were behind from the get-go Friday night, resulting in a not so pretty 6-2 loss at the hands of the Kootenay Ice.

In the first period, Kootenay took advantage of a slow start by Red Deer, Alec Baer wristing one over the glove of Riley Lamb just 5:29 into the game.

Red Deer would get into some penalty trouble with Reese Johnson sent off at 12:51 for hooking. Though Kootenay was unable to capitalize, they did get another crack on the powerplay when Josh Tarzwell was called for roughing at 18:18.

With a second to go, the Ice would sneak in a buzzer-beater to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes. Colton Kroeker got the credit for his 15th of the season. Shots after the first were 20-4 for Kootenay as Riley Lamb stood tall between the pipes for the home team.

In the second, the play became very wide open. Kootenay’s Martin Bodak took a slashing minor early, but Red Deer failed to score.

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However, just past the 12 minute mark, Brandon Cutler scored his 6th of the season to put Red Deer on the board.

Fifty-six seconds later, Kootenay restored their two goal lead, Gilian Kohler notching his 7th to make it 3-1.

At the 14 minute mark, Cameron Hausinger of Kootenay and Colin Paradis of the Rebels dropped the mitts, each earning five minute majors and two minute minors for roughing.

The Rebels’ Mason McCarty would score his team-leading 38th of the season half a minute later to make it 3-2 Kootenay. But with Ethan Sakowich in the box, the Ice would score their second powerplay goal of the night, Keenan Taphorn earning his 7th.

Kootenay took a late tripping minor, giving the Rebels a powerplay to start the third.

In the final frame, Gilian Kohler scored his second of the night and the Ice’s third powerplay marker at 9:07 to make it 5-2. Kootenay added another when Red Deer pulled the goalie with just over seven minutes to go in regulation — and that was all she wrote.

“Not good. I didn’t like our game outside of the one line,” said Head Coach Brent Sutter post-game. “They got outplayed tonight. We took some bad penalties and our penalty killing wasn’t very good tonight. We just didn’t play hard enough here tonight to think you can win. We chased the game all night. It wasn’t a very good game for us.”

The Rebels wrap up their regular season Saturday in Cranbrook against Kootenay. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. with the pre-game on 106.7 The Drive at 6:50. 

The loss means the Rebels will start the WHL Playoffs on the road in Lethbridge March 25. Tickets go on sale Monday for Game Three in Red Deer on March 27.

Before Friday’s game, the Red Deer Rebels announced their annual team award winners. 

Kristian Reichel was named season MVP, Ethan Anders was named Rookie of the Year, Reese Johnson earned Most Under-rated and Players Award honours, Dawson Barteaux was named Defenseman of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year is Captain Grayson Pawlenchuk, and Mason McCarty took home the top scorer award with 73 points through 70 games.