A lesson learned is more valuable if it’s a ‘hard’ lesson learned.
Red Deer Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin is hoping that his charges were the recipients of a such a lesson Wednesday evening at the Centrium, where the locals fell 3-2 to a so-called lesser team, the Prince Albert Raiders, a club battling long odds to earn a playoff berth.
“It’s been a long time since we were outworked like we were last night and I think it was a good wake-up call for us,” Wallin said Thursday. “Now we have to use it the right way. Maybe we were complacent and let up because we (had already clinched a playoff berth). Whatever, I think it’s a great lesson for these guys that you have to be at your best every night, which is what we as coaches have been pushing for a long time.
“We got a little bit ahead of ourselves last night, a little bit complacent, and you just can’t do that in this league. They (Raiders) were a desperate hockey team trying to get into that last spot and it’s going to be that way the rest of the (regular season). Every team has something to play for.”
And that includes the Swift Current Broncos, who fell 2-0 to the Hitmen Thursday in Calgary and remain in eighth place in the conference, five points up on the Raiders with just four games remaining, one less than Prince Albert.
Saturday’s meeting with the Tigers in Medicine Hat is another crucial match, with fifth place — the Rebels and Tigers each have 80 points — on the line.
“Swift is fighting to stay in the playoffs and the game against Medicine Hat come Saturday . . . we’re fighting for position in the standings and it’s going to be a big game, a playoff-type game,” said Wallin.
The Rebels also have two games — home and away — remaining against the Kootenay Ice and will require a sweep and possibly some outside aid in catching the Ice for fourth spot.
“There’s something on the line for every team right now,” said Wallin.
“It’s the time of year where things are on the line and everyone is trying to play their best hockey and getting ready for the playoffs when it really matters.
“We have to use Wednesday’s loss as a wake-up call and respond the right way tomorrow night.”
Rebels netminder Darcy Kuemper was somewhat shaky in Wednesday’s setback and will be on the bench tonight as Kraymer Barnstable gets the call against the Broncos.
The Rebels will close out their regular-season schedule with road games next Tuesday and Wednesday versus Lethbridge and Kootenay, a home date with the Ice Friday and a meeting with the Calgary Hitmen two days later at the Saddledome.
The Rebels coaching staff is hoping that overage centre Nathan Green, who scored nine goals and garnered 22 points in 25 games before suffering a broken leg and undergoing surgery in November, will return for the club’s final two regular-season games as a tune-up for the playoffs.
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com