The Red Deer Rebels are in the final stretch of the regular season.
Despite clinching a playoff spot they still have plenty to play for including the central division title which is still up for grabs.
With five games to go the Rebels are four points behind the division-leading Swift Current Broncos. In addition, the Medicine Hat Tigers are also in the race just three points ahead of Red Deer.
With two more games on hand, the Broncos have an advantage over the Rebels, especially with two head-to-head matchups against the Tigers this week.
The Rebels are going into the final stretch with the attitude of claiming the best possible playoff position.
If not the central division, the fifth-place Rebels are in a position to fight for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings currently occupied by the Tigers which would mean home-ice advantage in the opening round.
Rebels defenceman Mats Lindgren said clinching a playoff spot was a great accomplishment but they’re not prepared to take their foot off the gas pedal.
“Even though we made playoffs it’s not like we take a step back or relax and think we’re all good now,” he said. “We want to finish as good as we can. We’re just going to keep pushing these last few games and wherever we finish will be it.”
Lindgren explained with the coaching change their main focus is learning a new style of play, similar to the system they played during the 2022-23 season.
Over the past two weeks, there’s been a lot of learning. They want to generate more scoring chances as well as play lockdown defence in their zone.
Defence has been an area of strength for the Rebels this season but through February they struggled.
In the last three games since interim head coach Dave Struch took over the team they’ve improved on the defensive end.
“We’ve made some changes but we feel good about it. I think we’ll keep getting better,” Lindgren said.
“[Struch] has brought a lot of energy to the team. It’s been kind of a spark… he’s been really good so far and I’m looking forward to how it’s going to go the next few weeks.”
Rebels forward Dwayne Jean Jr. said it hasn’t been easy to switch coaches so late in the season but the team has a strong belief in each other.
“To have Struch here and win the central division would be insane. I was looking at the board yesterday and it’s a tight run. I think this group we have here we can do it,” he said.
“Ever since Struch has been here we’ve become more of a team… I really believe in this team we’ve got.”
Jean Jr. explained the new bench boss made an immediate impact on the team.
The practices have become harder in the players’ eyes but a quote they’ve repeatedly heard from Struch has motivated them.
“Like he always says, ‘With hard work, there’s always a reward at the end.’ That’s what we’ve put our mindset to that the reward is going to be at the end of playoffs.”