Rebels 6
Tigers 3
For the third time this season the Red Deer Rebels defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 6-3 on Friday night at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
The high-scoring affair saw six goals scored between the two teams in the second period followed by a high-energy third period that featured multiple fights.
But that's to be expected when you face a central division rival three times in the first four games of the WHL season.
"Unbelievable," said Rebels forward Matthew Gard when asked what the energy was like in the third period.
"We were fired up out there for sure so it was awesome."
Gard led the Rebels offensively on Friday potting two goals and an assist in the victory. The 17-year-old has been red hot to begin the season with six points in four games.
Carson Birnie also added a pair of goals on Friday followed by multiple two-point nights from Matteo Fabrizi, Trae Wilke, and Jhett Larson.
Despite getting outshot by the Tigers 49-28, the Rebels' defensive efforts have silenced the Tigers stars. A big reason for that was the outstanding performance from goaltender Chase Wutzke who made 46 saves.
"It's a great night," said head coach Dave Struch on his netminder's effort.
"That's what these goalies are there for. These goalies work hard every day and they prepare themselves. These big games against these top-end teams are going to be important for them to step up and he did for us tonight."
The Rebels struck first just 4:36 into the first period when Wilke fed a streaking Gard on the offensive rush who fired it into the open net.
Just over 10 minutes later, Birnie scored on the five-on-four powerplay to extend their lead shortly after a five-on-three-man advantage expired. Birnie tapped in the rebound off the rebound from a Jhett Larson shot following multiple scoring opportunities by the team.
Gard scored his second of the game early in the middle frame. Under two minutes into the period, his backhand shot redirected off the body of a Tigers defender in front of the net and in.
Just over a minute later, Bryce Pickford scored the Tigers' first of the game off a nice feed from Gavin McKenna in front of the net.
Birnie answered three and a half minutes later. The 19-year-old forward threw the puck on net from an awkward angle from the right side and made its way past goaltender Jordan Switzer.
The Tigers had seen enough and pulled Switzer who made 16 saves on 20 shots and was replaced by Ethan McCallum.
Tigers forward Jonas Woo scored his second of the year to cut the Rebels lead in half eight minutes into the second period.
The Rebels led 4-2 before Larson and Wilke scored before the end of the period to give Red Deer a commanding lead heading into the final frame.
Wilke's goal was his first tally as a Rebel after he was traded to the club in the offseason from the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The 18-year-old scored a beauty after picking the top left corner from the right circle.
In the third period, despite a late goal by Pickford, there was plenty of fisticuffs. Firstly, defenceman Matteo Fabrizi and Nate Corbet dropped the gloves after Fabrizi followed through on a massive body check on Oasiz Wiesblatt along the boards.
Only a mere few minutes later, a few more scuffles broke out in front of the Rebels net including a bout between Ryder Ritchie and Rebels rookie D-man Jake Missura.
"That was team tough for sure. In the third period, we're going to discard it no matter what because there was no flow to it on either side," Struch added.
"It was good to see some guys stand up for themselves and stand up for each other but that's over with. We move on and play tomorrow night."
Next up, the Rebels will welcome the Calgary Hitmen to town on Saturday at 7 p.m.
