By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Alexeyev bags OT winner as Rebels slice Ice

Oct 20, 2018 | 11:11 PM

The Red Deer Rebels just keep on winning, picking up another two points against divisional rival Kootenay on Saturday night at the Enmax Centrium.

The final score was 4-3, but the game would need overtime to decide bragging rights.

“I thought penalties — we took five in the first 24 minutes of the game,” said head coach Brent Sutter post-game. “Kootenay stayed with their game and they kept doing things right. They’re a team that’s very well coached and disciplined.”

The 3-4-1-1 Ice did indeed play a solid game, though it was Red Deer who got on the board first and ultimately prevailed. Carson Sass scored his first of the season just under five minutes in on the Rebels’ second-ranked powerplay.

Red Deer continued to dominate throughout most of the first period, and led on the shot clock 10-0 at one point. Kootenay drew closer in that department thanks to a pair of late period powerplays, but to no avail.

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The opening frame ended 1-0 Rebels.

In the second, Red Deer’s Brandon Hagel continued to light the world on fire scoring his fifth goal in two games, and shorthanded to boot.

The Rebels soon found themselves in more penalty trouble, however, with two guys in the box.

Kootenay took full advantage scoring twice in 16 seconds (both on the powerplay), Jaegar White with his 5th and Brett Davis his 4th, to tie the game at 2-2, and all just four minutes in.

The Ice then put themselves in their own penalty trouble with three straight minors, but Red Deer failed not capitalize.

In the third, it was uneventful until very late.

At 17:39, Oleg Zaytsev netted his 5th of the season, seemingly putting Red Deer ahead for good.

However, just 36 seconds later, Kootenay drew even once again, Jaegar White with his 6th of the season and second on the night.

In 3-in-3 overtime, a defensive collapse by the Ice saw Rebels d-man Alex Alexeyev skate in down the left side completely unobstructed and roof it over Kootenay netminder Duncan McGovern just 1:15 into the extra period.

Red Deer finished the night 1/5 on the powerplay, while Kootenay was 2/6. The final shots were 32-32.

Saturday night’s Booster Juice three stars were Rebel Jacob Herauf (***), Ice standout Jaegar White (**), and overtime hero Alexander Alexeyev who notched his 11th point in as many games.

“It was a very tough game. The first ten minutes were pretty good, and then we took the foot off the pedal,” said Alexeyev, the Capitals 2018 first rounder. “We took a couple bad penalties and the second period was pretty bad too. It was kind of a weird (overtime) goal because they just let me skate, but overtime goals are always really exciting and make me really happy. You can tell by my celebration.”

Coach Sutter also thought his goalie Ethan Anders, who’s now racked up six wins, played a great game.

“Two points is two points, but Andy (Anders) was outstanding. They directed a lot of pucks to the net and Andy made some big saves,” he said. “Andy gives you a chance every night and that’s what you want from your goaltender.”

Next action for the Rebels is this Tuesday as Red Deer plays host to Calgary at the Enmax Centrium. Listen LIVE on 106.7 The Drive starting at 6:30. Puck drop is at 7.