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New look, new result

Rebels 4 Ice 2The Red Deer Rebels had a slightly different look with two new faces in the lineup when they took to the ice against the Kootenay Ice Thursday.
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New Red Deer Rebel Devan Fafard reaches to stop a shot by Kootenay Ice Elgin Pearce during first period action at the Centrium Thursday. Fafard was acquired in a trade with the that sent Locke Muller and Matt Pufahl to the Saskatoon Blades.

Rebels 4 Ice 2

The Red Deer Rebels had a slightly different look with two new faces in the lineup when they took to the ice against the Kootenay Ice Thursday.

One of the newcomers — centre Charles Inglis, who came over from the Prince George Cougars for Daulton Siwak — was brought in to provide more offence.

He didn’t get on the scoresheet but the rest of the team found their scoring touch in a 4-2 victory over the Kootenay Ice in Western Hockey League play before an announced crowd of 4,799 at the Centrium.

Still Inglis will be looked at to provide offence and that’s just fine with him.

“In Prince George they told me I had to score so I don’t mind a little pressure on me to go out and make things happen, that’s what I like to do,” he said.

Inglis didn’t look out of place despite not playing for a month and arriving at the Centrium at 5:35 p.m. after flying in from Saskatoon.

“I was really excited when they contacted me as I’ve been waiting for any team to call,” he added.

“And Red Deer is an outstanding organization with great coaching and great management.

“I know both Alex Petrovic and Turner Elson and they have nothing but good to say about Red Deer.

“I know the fans are amazing and I was excited to come and get on the ice.”

He also said he felt better than he expected.

“When I left Prince George I had only my skates.

“No sticks or equipment so I’ve only been out on an outdoor rink over the last month. But my wind wasn’t bad. I was excited to get some power play time and be with the other guys and see what’s going on.

“As for the guys, I already love it. They were extremely supportive and talked a lot out there and have great camaraderie.”

Wallin didn’t know what to expect from his new centre either.

“He hasn’t played in a month, but he’s a fit athlete and fit in.”

Tyson Ness led the Rebels with a pair of goals, including the first at 5:01 of the second period.

“It was kind of a lucky break as Hammy (Joel Hamilton) got the puck to me and while it was a little flutter shot it seemed to pick us up.”

Ness, who was named the game’s first star, liked what he seen from both Inglis and 17-year-old defenceman Devan Fafard, who came over from the Saskatoon Blades for Locke Muller and Matt Pufahl.

“I don’t think the trades affected us any,” he said. “We lost players who were friends of ours, but we acquired two players who played very well.”

The win gave the Rebels a 4-2 record against the Ice this season and it was the second time they beat them since picking up goaltender Deven Dubyk.

“We play well against them as they’re division rivals and we have to get the points,” said Ness.

The win also moved the Rebels into a tie with the Calgary Hitmen for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

It wasn’t their best performance of the season, and at times they got caught sitting back, but Wallin wasn’t going to give it back.

“Over the last 10 games we were on the wrong end of the score on several occasions when we played well and deserved a better fate,” he said. “Tonight when we brought the intensity and tenacity we needed, we were very good, but we didn’t do it on a consistent basis. On the power play we didn’t win any battles and there was no urgency. Five-on-five we were soft and turned pucks over, making casual plays. But despite being a bit sporadic they were a huge two points.”

But the Ice are always a tough team to play.

“They won the league last year and have a lot of veterans,” said Wallin. “They have very structured coaches and are a hard-working team. But I also think when we struggled we were hurting ourselves more than what they were doing. We were soft and not moving our feet and that’s when we got into trouble. We can be better, but we also found a way to win.”

Brooks Maxwell, who make it 2-0 in the second period, and Stephen Hak, who made it 3-1 in the third on a breakaway after leaving the penalty box, had the other Red Deer markers. Drew Czerwonka and Elgin Pearce scored on the power play for the Ice.

Dubyk was solid for the Rebels, finishing with 31 saves, while the league’s leading goaltender, Nathan Lieuwen, made 21 stops.

• Fafard took a regular shift and showed his grit by getting into a first-period fight with Czerwonka . . . Rebels lost forward John Persson early in the second period with an undisclosed injury . . . Forwards Josh Cowen and Adam Kambeitz and defenceman Aaron Borejko are still out with upper body injuries and forward Cory Millette and rearguard Kayle Doetzel are with Team West at the World U17 Challenge . . . Rebels are off until Jan. 6 when they host Swift Current.

drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com