By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Rebels stamp Broncos for second straight win

Sep 30, 2018 | 12:03 AM

The Red Deer Rebels came up against a vulnerable team on Saturday night and took full advantage.

Coming in, the Swift Current Broncos were 0-3 and had been outscored 15-1, including consecutive 8-0 and 5-0 losses.

To make things worse for the visiting side, the only goal they had scored this season – in the second period of their season opener – was by Kaden Elder, a guy they traded last week to Calgary and played against Red Deer on Friday night.

It wasn’t much better for Swift Current on this night as they dropped a 5-2 decision to Red Deer, who gave as close to a 60-minute effort as they have in four games this season.

The first period was fairly uneventful, neither team finding the back of the net, and even with three Rebels finding the space for breakaways. Headed to the second, it was 0-0.

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Just 14 seconds into the second period, Broncos goalie Isaac Poulter was penalized for delay of game and Brandon Hagel subsequently scored his second of the season.

With Alec Sawatsky in the box a little later in the period, Red Deer scored once again, Stars draft pick Dawson Barteaux slotting home his first of the year to make it 2-0 Rebels at the break.

The final frame was by far the most exciting.

Austin Schellenberg ripped home a beautiful goal flying down the right side to make the score 3-0 just four minutes in.

Six seconds after two players from each team were put in the sin bin, Zak Smith scored his first WHL goal to extend the Rebels’ lead to 4-0.

Then, with Alex Morozoff off for interference, Red Deer native Josh Tarzwell got a step on the Broncos defense and snapped one past rookie goaltender Poulter for the shorthanded marker and a 5-0 lead.

Mercifully, the Broncos Matthew Culling ended his team’s goalless drought at 12:23 of the third period, a mere 201+ minutes since their last goal.

The Rebels then found themselves down by two men and the Broncos scored yet again, Connor Horning making it 5-2 with his first of the season.

5-2 Rebels is how it ended.

“I was happy for the most part with all the young kids tonight,” said head coach Brent Sutter. “I think on the powerplay, it’s always nice to have skill, but it’s about establishing shots, establishing some traffic around the net and making sure pucks are directed there.”

The Rebels man advantage went 2/5 on this night, improving to 4/15 on the season. Swift Current was 1/6. The final shots were 40-26 for Red Deer and Byron Fancy earned his first WHL victory.

“He played well,” Sutter added “He was really solid and he didn’t give up much. He made some key saves at certain times.”

Fancy said, “I felt good and was a little nervous at the start. But after the first ten minutes, I felt good in there and getting a few pucks on me, it helped calm me down a bit. It’s awesome.”

Brandon Hagel had one goal and one assist, improving his team-leading points total to six. Alexander Alexeyev’s three-game scoring streak was snapped, but he did earn two assists to bring his points tally to five. Barteaux had one goal and two assists on the night.

Next action for the Rebels is Sunday in Calgary as they continue their stretch of four games in five nights. Puck drop is at 4 p.m. and the broadcast will air live on 106.7 The Drive starting at 3:50.