For the second time in as many weeks, the Rebels entertained division rival Kootenay at the Enmax Centrium.

FIRST PERIOD

The Rebels opened the scoring 2:57 into the game as Grayson Pawlenchuk capped off a pretty give-and-go with Adam Musil by sliding home his 1st of the season past Ice goalie Wyatt Hoflin. Nick Charif picked up the second assist on the 1-0 Rebels goal.

A mere 1:03 later Red Deer doubled their lead when Meyer Nell brought in a rebound off the end boards and beat Hoflin for his second on the season. Conner Bleackley, playing in his first game of the season, and Brett Cote assisted on the 2-0 marker.

The home teams would add one more before the end of the frame. Evan Polei won an offensive zone faceoff right to Bleackley who ripped home his first goal of the year with 5.4 seconds to go. The Rebels took a 3-0 lead to the first intermission.

SECOND PERIOD

No Scoring.

THIRD PERIOD

With Bryan Allbee serving a double minor for high sticking, the Rebels padded their lead as Presten Kopeck scored the Rebels first powerplay goal of the season. Polei and Charif assisted on the 4-0 goal 1:20 into the final frame.

The Rebels made it 5-0 just 1:32 later as Bleackley slid a short pass to a wide open Wyatt Johnson. He tapped home his first goal of the year at the 3:52 mark.

Scott Feser jumped out of the penalty box after the end of his tripping penalty and was sprung on a breakaway by Cole Chorney. Feser buried the breakaway for his first on the seasoon, goalie Rylan Toth was given the second assist on the goal that made it 6-0 Rebels at 7:22.

15 seconds later, the Ice finally got on the score sheet as Kyle O’Connor beat Toth for his first of the year. Ryan Chynoweth set up the 6-1 goal at 7:37.

Red Deer struck again at 8:23 when Kopeck won a race for the puck behind the Kootenay net and put home a wraparound for his second on the night, shorthanded, at 8:23. 7-1 Rebels.

MOLSON CUP THREE STARS

1. Presten Kopeck RD

2. Conner Bleackley RD

3. Evan Polei RD

HARDEST WORKING REBEL – Grayson Pawlenchuk

NOTES – Rebels scratches for the game were Haydn Fleury (NHL camp) Brayden Burke, Hugo Jansons, Mason McCarty and Mario Grman…

NEXT GAME – The Rebels open a three games in four nights road trip on Thursday, October 2 at Moose Jaw. Cam Moon has the broadcast on 106.7 The Drive starting at 6:50 p.m.

Story by Troy Gillard

Photo by Rob Wallator