Rebels 4 Royals 3
VICTORIA– The Red Deer Rebels bent but didn’t break in another key victory over the Victoria Royals on Friday night in WHL action.
Red Deer won their ninth game in the last 12, this one a 4-3 win against the Royals and kept pace with the Kootenay Ice for third place in the Central Division.
Rebels netminder Riley Lamb was stellar in the contest with 33 saves and picked up his sixth straight victory.
After falling behind 1-0 early, the Rebels battled back with three straight goals and looked in control throughout the middle part of the game.
Rebels forward Kristian Reichel tied the game at one late in the first period on a 4-on-3 power play. It was the 19-year-old from Czech Republic’s 25th goal of the year.
Brandon Hagel and Alex Alexeyev drew assists on the goal, extending their individual point streaks. Alexeyev has 12 points in his last eight games and Hagel, a Buffalo Sabres pick has seven points in his last three.
Mason McCarty pushed the Rebels ahead midway through the second with his 31st goal of the year and Brandon Cutler added his third of the season to extend the advantage at 11:30.
A late second-period goal from Kade Jensen sparked the Royals and former Rebel Lane Zablocki managed to tie the game at three 5:16 into the final frame.
The Rebels snatched back the lead late in the third. Defenceman Colin Paradis put a point shot on net and it was tipped by Chris Douglas on the way through and went five hole on Royals netminder Dean McNabb.
Red Deer continues their road trip Sunday when they take on the Vancouver Giants before heading home.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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