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Red Deer Rebels

Rebels Overcome Broncos with Workmanlike Effort , Head into Christmas Break on a Positive Note

December 15, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


The level of intensity was nowhere as close in Saturday's WHL game at the Centrium as was the case the night before.

Regardless, the Red Deer Rebels were able to notch a pair of third-period goals in a 3-1 win over the Swift Current Broncos before 4,013 fans.

Friday's 6-4 victory over the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers was a fast paced, high octane, highly entertaining contest that Saturday's game never came close to replicating.

Could it have had something to do with the fact it was the Rebels' final outing prior to their Christmas break?

Cam Hausinger, who notched the winning goal and earned a first-star selection, suggested that might have been the case.

"There was a lot of distractions coming into this one, a lot of break time that we're looking forward to, but we had to stay dialled in for the rest of the day," said the 20-year-old forward.

"I thought our team played well. We had some hiccups, we had some slow moments, but we came out in the third period when it counted and ended up getting the win."

Another factor in the lower level of intensity, Hausinger suggested, was the difference in calibre the Rebels were up against over the two nights.

"Medicine Hat is a fast team so you tend to skate with faster teams," he said. "I thought we played a little slower today, we played to their speed. We didn't really push the pace a lot in this game and I thought that's why we didn't have as much success in the first two periods. But we got the win. I'm happy."

On Toque Toss night, the fans were able to toss their stuffed toys and winter wear - which will be donated to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau - just 1:51 in when Zak Smith beat Broncos netminder Isaac Poulter with a high shot from down low in the left circle.

The Broncos pulled even on a power-play tally early in the middle frame, a goal that appeared to be an outright gift considering it appeared, from the overhead camera, that the puck never crossed the line.

But after taking a closer look at the replay, the goal was confirmed and credited to Tyler Smithies, and it stood up until Hausinger potted the eventual winner four minutes into the third period.

Jayden Grubbe feathered a pass out front to Hausinger and he made no mistake with a one-timer.

"It was a turnover on my part and we got a lucky bounce," said Hausinger, whose goal was his eighth of the season. "Barts (defenceman Dawson Barteaux) held the line there, (Josh) Tarzwell put it through my legs down low to Grubber and Grubber made a really nice pass, right on the money in the slot.

"All I had to do was tap it in. I'm lucky I put that one home. I don't get a lot of those."

The Rebels sealed the deal late in the contest when Tarzwell carried the puck through the neutral and over the blueline and dropped it back to Ethan Sakowich, who fired it on goal. Poulter kicked it out and Tarzwell buried the rebound.

"It was a huge goal, a great play by Tarz," said Rebels GM/head coach. "That's what power forwards do. He stayed strong on the puck, protected it through the neutral zone, (Sakowich) got the shot and he (Tarzwell) got the rebound. It was a great play.

"But that's the type of game it was, you had to stay with it and not break. It was tight checking, there wasn't a lot of room.

"You just had to make sure you kept your mistakes to a minimum, keep it simple. I thought we did a really good job in the third period. We talked about just staying with it and trying to break your opposition, get a quality scoring chance or two and capitalize. We were able to do that."

Sutter credited the Broncos with not surrendering a load of Grade A scoring opportunities and keeping the outcome in doubt until late.

"It's kind of how they play," said the Rebels boss. "They play such a tight man-on-man in their zone and don't give you much in the middle of the ice, you have to work to get in there.

"When you're in there you have to be strong and solid and get shots directed to the net and try to create something. We never got a lot of shots through from the back end. They're a well coached team and we just had to stay with it, and we did a really good job of that."

The win was the Rebels' second in succession heading into the Christmas break and fifth in their last five outings.

"We've been able to play good games over the last 10, at least," said Hausinger. "Our team has been playing really well defensively and our offensive game has been able to build off that."

Byron Fancy was solid in the Red Deer net, turning aside 19 shots and earning third-star status. Poulter made 29 saves.

Notable: Tarzwell, who had two points with a goal and assist, was named second star. Sakowich also had a multi-point game with two helpers . . . The Broncos were one-for-four on the power play, the Rebels zero-for-four . . . The Rebels return to action Dec. 27 against the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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