Rebels 6 Ice 1
One night after wasting a multitude of scoring chances, the Red Deer Rebels cashed in with regularity Saturday at Cranbrook.
The Rebels aimed only 19 shots at the Kootenay Ice cage, but beat netminder Nathan Lieuwen like a leased mule in a 6-1 Western Hockey League victory before 2,542 fans at the Cranbrook Rec Complex. That was in sharp contrast to Friday’s 2-1 home-ice loss to the Regina Pats, in which the Rebels fired 41 shots at goaltender Matt Hewitt — and missed the net on at least half that many volleys — and were stoned on another nine attempts during a shootout.
“It was a real good road game for us,” Red Deer head coach/vice-president of hockey operations Jesse Wallin said Sunday, in reference to Saturday’s triumph. “We went in there and had a good start. The guys were focused right off the bat and obviously when you bear down and score on your opportunities it makes for a big difference in the outcome.”
Following Friday’s setback, Wallin addressed his charges about the need for a more concerted effort in the offensive zone. Clearly, the message was received.
“We feel that there’s enough talent and experience in our room to score enough goals to win hockey games,” said the Rebels bench boss. “We have solid goaltending and we feel we’re a solid defensive hockey team, so if we can capitalize on the opportunities that we generate, more often than not we should be able to come out on top.
“Most nights we generate upwards to 30 to 35 shots on goal, and when you’re getting pucks to the net it’s just a matter of getting to that tough area and paying the price of bearing down and scoring.”
The Rebels were outshot 23-19 Saturday, but got two goals from 20-year-old Brett Ferguson and singles off the sticks of Alex Petrovic, Mathew Dumba, Justin Weller and Locke Muller. Ferguson also picked up three assists to give him 27 points (10g,17a) on the season.
“It was nice to see him (Ferguson) break out like that, especially in a big game,” said Wallin, whose club crept to within two points of the front-running Ice in the Central Division.
Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves for the Rebels to post his league-leading 25th win of the season. Red Deer led 3-0 after one period, and after a scoreless middle frame upped the count to 5-0 in the third period before James Martin spoiled Kuemper’s shutout bid on a Kootenay power play.
“Against Regina we passed up and blew scoring opportunities by missing the net or just not bearing down and shooting the puck with a purpose,” said Wallin. “Even in the shootout there really wasn’t a sense of urgency to put the puck in the net. But last night we played with a real sense of purpose . . . it was just a solidly played hockey game and a good effort.”
• The Ice made the first major splash on the trade scene Sunday, acquiring Swift Current Broncos star and Canadian national junior team forward Cody Eakin in return for three bantam draft picks, forward Christian Magnus and four prospects, including Red Deer native Jarett Zentner who is currently with the Calgary Mustangs of the AJHL.
The Broncos received Kootenay’s first- and second-round picks in this year’s bantam draft and a third-round selection in 2012. The other Ice prospects headed to Swift Current are forwards Ryan Bloom and Colby Cave, and goalie Steven Myland.
“Both Magnus and Bloom will bring depth to our team,” Broncos assistant general manager Jamie Porter said in a press release. “Zentner, Cave and Myland have all been playing strong for their respective teams and will be great additions to our organization as well.”
“Eakin has been the best player to come to this team since Joe Sakic,” added Broncos GM/head coach Mark Lamb. “It’s a trade we didn’t want to do, but it’s the best thing for our hockey club in the long run.”
Kootenay GM Jeff Chynoweth didn’t apologize for sending the large package to the Broncos.
“This was not an overnight decision and as an organization we have had ongoing discussions on how to improve our hockey club to challenge for a WHL championship this season,” he said in a prepared statement. “We have acquired one of the WHL’s premier offensive players which will add offense to an already balanced team. To get a player the caliber of Cody Eakin you have to give up a lot and we feel we definitely stepped up to the plate and parted with very good players and very high draft picks. We appreciate the quality of the people and players going to Swift Current and we wish them all the best in the future.”
• Wallin basically guaranteed that he won’t be bringing in one of the few impact players who might be still on the market, but may tinker with his roster if the price is right.
“We’re exploring all opportunities, looking at ways that we can upgrade our team. But I’m not going to make a trade just for the sake of making a change,” he said.
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com