Rebels 8 Hurricanes 1
Stop if you’ve heard this story before, but Ben King and Arshdeep Bains were at it again.
The Red Deer Rebels leading point producers were a two-man wrecking crew in a dominant 8-1 win Saturday at the Peavey Mart Centrium in front of 2,761 fans.
King had a hat trick and an assist, while Bains picked up two helpers in the victory. The duo are tied for the WHL lead in points with 58 apiece and King leads the league with 33 goals, five more than Winnipeg’s Connor McClennon.
“It’s pretty special,” said Rebels veteran forward Liam Keeler, who was second star on the night with two goals of his own.
“They’re two very skilled players and they just read off each other so well. You look at Arsh, who is just a terrific playmaker and Kinger can finish. Basically every night he’s been scoring for our group. Those two guys have been huge.”
King’s 31st of the year opened the scoring in the first, a bouncer off the rush that hit a skate and slipped in behind Jared Picklyk. Dallon Melin redirected a pass from Jayden Grubbe in off the rush just past the midway point of the opening frame.
Keeler put the game out of reach late in the second, scoring a pair of goals just 1:23 a part. The first was a bit of a fluke, a shot that ricocheted off a Hurricanes’ stick past Picklyk. His second came on the power play when he tapped a pass in at the side of the net. That goal chased Picklyk, who allowed four goals on 28 shots.
“He’s always a fast skater, he’s strong on pucks and he’s jumping on loose pucks. Fits in with that power play real nice in that middle bumper spot and getting loose pucks,” said Rebels coach Steve Konowalchuk of Keeler.
“If he’s going to use his speed to forecheck and get on loose pucks like that, whether he’s finishing or getting first on pucks then we have the puck more. And he’s got some finish, he’s shown that in the shootout and on breakaways. He’s got some good finish so it’s nice to see him take another step offensively.”
The 20-year-old is riding a seven-game goal streak, with 11 points over the stretch. The Edmonton native said a trip home over the break re-ignited his passion for the game.
“I’m 20-years-old but I’ve never lived away from home. Just Christmas break was a nice reset, to see my friends and family and people I love,” he said.
“Took some time to assess who I think I’m capable of being as a player and moving forward, just had to come back with the mindset that this is the ending of my career, just want to go out on as high a note as I can.”
Late in the second, Bains made a nifty deke to create some space off the rush, before firing a backhand pass to King who made no mistake on his 32nd goal of the year.
King netted his hat trick tally 8:09 into the third and Carter Anderson made it 7-1 at 10:23 of the frame.
“Guys played hard. First period, our guys came ready to play and it’s so important to have a good start. I thought they did. It was good to see everybody be able to be involved. A lot of different guys contributed in different ways, so that was good to see,” said Konowalchuk.
“Pretty solid team win.”
Rebels 2021 CHL Import pick Frantisek Formanek rounded out the scoring, notching his first career WHL goal shorthanded. He raced down the wing and sniped far side on Harrison Meneghin, who replaced Picklyk.
“It’s good for him, he’s played well for us. He’s played good and he’s had chances. He’s a guy that will be able to put the puck in the net,” Konowalchuk said.
“It was good for him to get that first one, I know he’s probably relieved in there right now. You probably don’t expect it right then, but it was a good shot down the wing.”
Rebels netminder Connor Ungar also had a strong night, finishing with 38 saves in the victory.
The Rebels will take on the Medicine Hat Tigers in Medicine Hat on Sunday.
