The Red Deer Rebels had a much-needed bounce-back game Friday night.
After losing back-to-back games on their eastern road trip, the Rebels beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-3 at Westoba Place.
In just his second start this season, rookie goaltender Chase Wutzke was phenomenal between the pipes making 31 saves.
After a scoreless opening period, the Rebels piled on the offence in the second period.
Rebels sniper Ben King scored twice on the powerplay. The first came at the 6:43 mark followed by another approximately two minutes after.
Defenceman Mats Lindgren extended Red Deer’s lead 3-0 when he scored his 10th of the season at the midway point of the period.
Rebels captain Jayden Grubbe also got in on the shooting gallery off the pass from Lindgren to take a commanding lead.
However, the Wheat Kings didn’t go away quietly.
In the third period, Brandon scored four minutes in when Red Deer native Nate Danielson notched his 30th of the year on the powerplay.
The Wheat Kings added another seven minutes later to pull within two of the Red Deer lead.
With four minutes remaining in the game Jace Isley iced the game when he potted his 28th tally of the campaign. A minute and a half later Brandon scored once again but Kai Uchacz fired a shot into the empty net to secure the win.
The Rebels remain in second place in the Eastern Conference with just eight games remaining before playoffs.
Next up for Red Deer will be the final game of their road trip in Regina on Saturday against Connor Bedard and the Pats at 6 p.m.