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Persson’s return welcomed

Timing is everything, and with the Red Deer Rebels set to take on the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight at the Centrium, the planned return of power forward John Persson is certainly well-timed.
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Red Deer Rebel John Persson battles for the puck during a Rebels home game at the Enmax Centrium.

Timing is everything, and with the Red Deer Rebels set to take on the Medicine Hat Tigers tonight at the Centrium, the planned return of power forward John Persson is certainly well-timed.

“He’s been a good player for us. He’s a top guy and his line (with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrej Kudrna) has got some chemistry,” Rebels head coach/vice-president of hockey operations Jesse Wallin said Monday.

While Persson, who has contributed 29 goals and 53 points this season as a big-bodied, energetic winger, missed only three games after crashing into the end boards during a Feb. 19 Western Hockey League contest with visiting Kamloops, he was conspicuous by his absence.

“We missed his size, his skill and his presence, especially with (Josh) Cowen out as well. You take both of those guys out of the lineup and you lose some size up front,” said Wallin. “So it’s huge to get John back.”

Persson’s return should also bolster the Rebels’ power play, which has sputtered in recent games.

Wallin, however, suggested that the team’s extra-man units simply haven’t executed properly.

“We just haven’t moved the puck well the last little while,” said Wallin.

“It’s just a matter of being sharper and making plays stick to stick and recognizing where you’re going with the puck when you get it. The guys on the power play just have to be better.”

Meanwhile, the club will still be minus the services of defenceman Aaron Borejko, who has missed the last two games and is listed as day-to-day with a concussion.

Borejko joins winger Cowen, who recently underwent surgery on his broken hand, on the injury list, with Cowen out indefinitely.

“He (Borejko) still has lingering symptoms, and until he’s symptom-free he can’t start the protocol,” said Wallin. “Once he’s established a day without symptoms, he can get back on the bike again.”

The Rebels are coming off Friday’s 1-0 home-ice loss to the Kelowna Rockets.

Two days previous, Red Deer downed the visiting Kootenay Ice 5-4 in a shootout.

Wallin wasn’t disappointed with his club’s effort in either game.

“We played well against Kootenay other than the fact that we gave up some opportunities. Our compete level was there that game and we got a big win,” said Wallin.

“Against Kelowna it was a hard fought-game. They capitalized on one opportunity and we didn’t get a goal. But again, I liked our compete level.”

Including tonight’s meeting with the Tigers, who sit six points back of first-place Red Deer in the Central Division, the Rebels have eight games remaining on their regular-season schedule.

Included are two meetings with each of the Tigers, Calgary Hitmen and Edmonton Oil Kings, a home date with the Swift Current Broncos and a March 8 contest at Prince George.

gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com