From the Red Deer Rebels

REBELS THIS WEEK 

PLAYOFF BOUND!
The Red Deer Rebels have officially booked their spot in the 2023 WHL Playoffs. With a regulation win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday, the Rebels can also clinch their first Central Division title since the 2010-11 season.

Visit reddeerrebels.com to see the available options for playoff packages and how to guarantee your seat! 

ABOUT LAST WEEK

  Sat. March 4 – The Rebels played well in their fourth road game in five nights but settled for a single point in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre. Frantisek Formanek had a goal and two assists for this third three-point game of the season. Ollie Josephson, Kai Uchacz, Ben King and Jayden Grubbe each scored once. Mats Lindgren has another big night with three assists. Red Deer outshot Regina 40-20 and was 1-for-5 on the power play while Regina was 1-for-2.

  Fri. March 3 – Mats Lindgren had a career high five points (1G, 4A) as the Rebels doubled up the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-3 at Westoba Place. Ben King scored twice on the power play. Jayden Grubbe and Jace Isley scored even strength while Kai Uchacz added an empty netter. Chase Wutzke made 31 saves for his second win of the season. Red Deer outshot Brandon 39-34 and was 2-for-4 on the power play while Brandon was 2-for-6.

  Wed. March 1 – The Saskatoon Blades scored three power play goals in a 5-2 win over the Rebels at SaskTel Centre. Craig Armstrong scored for Red Deer in the second period while Frantisek Formanek scored in the third. Saskatoon outshot Red Deer 35-10 and was 3-for-9 on the power play while Red Deer was 0-for-2.

  Tue. Feb. 28 – The Prince Albert Raiders scored three times in the first period on their way to a 5-2 win over the Rebels at the Art Hauser Centre. Jace Isley scored in his third straight game for the Rebels early in period two while Jhett Larson added a power play tally with 2.5 seconds left in the frame. Prince Albert outshot Red Deer 23-21 and was 2-for-6 on the power play while the Rebels were 1-for-3.

UPCOMING GAMES

The Rebels return to the Peavey Mart Centrium to battle the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. It’s the first of three remaining games between Red Deer and Lethbridge. The Rebels are 2-0-0-1 versus Lethbridge this season.

This coming weekend, the Rebels take on the Calgary Hitmen in a home and home series starting Friday night (March 10) at the Peavey Mart Centrium at 7 p.m. It’s the final Beer Special of the season with domestic cans available for 2-for-$10.

The Rebels and Hitmen play again Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome to wrap up their season series. Red Deer is 5-1-0-0 versus Calgary so far this season.

KING CLIMBS THE CHARTS

Forward Ben King has 97 career goals with the Rebels placing him for 5^th on the team’s all-time list. With a goal and assist Saturday in Regina, the Vernon, BC native and Anaheim Ducks prospect also became the 10^th player in Rebels history to record 200 career points with the club.

LINDGREN TIES TEAM RECORD

With five points (1 goal, 4 assists) Friday night in Brandon, Mats Lindgren tied the Rebels team record for points in a game by a defenceman (Darren Van Impe did it three times from 1992-94). Lindgren, a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, added three more assists Saturday night at Regina.  

300 CLUB

Congratulations to Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk on recently recording his 300^th coaching victory in the WHL.