The Red Deer Rebels split a pair of home games this past weekend against the Saskatoon Blades and Edmonton Oil Kings.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Rebels defeated the Blades 2-1, on the back of a 30-save performance from goaltender Chase Wutzke.
Rebels defenceman Hunter Mayo opened the scoring about five minutes into the first period. Mayo now has six goals on the season, which is the most of any defenceman in the Western Hockey League. Red Deer captain Ollie Josephson and Jake Missura picked up assists on the tally.
Jhett Larson added to Red Deer's lead with his second of the season 18:22 into the opening frame, Carson Birnie and Matthew Gard assisting on the goal. Saskatoon's Brandon Lisowsky scored his team's only goal 4:47 into the second period.
The game's three stars were Rebels goaltender Chase Wutzke (first), Blades goaltender Evan Gardner (second), and Rebels defenceman Hunter Mayo (third).
On Sunday, Oct. 20, the Sawchyn brothers combined for five points in a 5-1 Oil Kings victory over the Rebels at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Gracyn Sawchyn, the older brother, scored two goals and added an assist, while Lukas Sawchyn had a pair of assists. Jack Toogood, Roan Woodward and Miroslav Holinka scored Edmonton's other goals.
Rebels defenceman Luke Vlooswyk scored Red Deer's only goal. It was his first tally of the season and the second in his WHL career.
Despite the decisive score, the Rebels had a significant shot advantage over the Oil Kings. Edmonton goaltender Alex Worthington stopped 41 of 42 shots in the game. Rebels goaltender Rhett stopped 15 of 19 shots.
The game's three stars were Gracyn Sawchyn (first), Alex Worthington (second) and Lukas Sawchyn (third).
Following the weekend, Red Deer has a 6-4-1 record on the season. The Rebels have a pair of games on the slate this weekend.
On Friday, Oct. 25, Red Deer will play host to the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Tigers have had a slow start to the season, sitting at a 5-5 record, but the team is filled with young offensive talent, including 16-year-old Gavin McKenna, who has racked up 15 points in 10 games. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, the Rebels will visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes for a 6 p.m. matchup. Lethbridge currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with a 6-2-1 record. The last time these two teams faced off was in the season opener in Red Deer — Lethbridge won 2-1 in overtime.
