The Red Deer Rebels have taken a stranglehold on the Eastern Conference semifinals.
After stealing both games in Saskatoon last week the Rebels took a 3-0 series lead on Tuesday at the Peavey Mart Centrium with a 3-1 win over the Blades in Game 3.
Rebels forward Dwayne Jean Jr., who potted his first of the playoffs in the second period, said it was a full team effort.
“We’ve got to focus on tomorrow but it felt like all the guys bought in,” he said.
“Straight from the one line to the fourth line, first D-pair to the third D-pair I feel like everyone was going the whole time and that’s what we need again for tomorrow.”
Jean Jr. added despite the significant lead in the series they’re not going to feel comfortable until they get that fourth win.
“We’ve still got another game. It’s all about [Wednesday] so all the guys want to do it in four but we’ve got to come in with the same mindset we have in the last three.”
The Rebels thought they netted one midway through the first but after review, it was called a no-goal. Dwayne Jean Jr. came streaking down the right side and fired it just under the crossbar but it somehow stayed out redirecting off the left post to keep the game at zero
The Blades struck first in the second period when Trevor Wong, who leads Saskatoon with 13 points, was left alone in front and buried the rebound.
Frantisek Formanek responded nearly five minutes later notching his third of the playoffs off the feed from defenceman Christoffer Sedoff. Sedoff entered the offensive zone with speed and passed it through the crease to Formanek who knocked it in from the right side of the net.
Later in the frame, Jean Jr. redeemed himself by scoring the go-ahead goal. While driving the right side of the net his initial shot was stopped by the goaltender’s pad but a second and third whack powered it into the net.
Jean Jr. said postgame he dedicated that goal to his mother who was at the game on Tuesday. He explained he hadn’t seen her much lately since his dad had been in the hospital.
“Just to have her here and score my first playoff goal with her here it’s unbelievable. I’ve just got to say that I love her and that was for her,” he added.
Early in the third period, the Blades were awarded a powerplay after Jayden Grubbe got called for high sticking. What may have been the Blades’ most important of the season they failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
With the goalie pulled late in the third, the Blades continued to push for the equalizer. Grubbe nearly ended the game but a shot from centre ice hit the post. However, shortly after Kalan Lind got the puck in the offensive zone and secured the 3-1 win.
Head coach Steve Konowalchuk said it was a hard-fought game but that seems to be the norm this series.
“They’re battles,” he said.
“You’ve got to fight for your scoring chances. You’ve got to keep playing hard every shift and we’ve got to enjoy this for a quick little bit but then we know we’ve got to be ready for tomorrow.”
The Rebels will have the opportunity on Wednesday to win the series at home at 7 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
If they do indeed come away with the victory they’ll advance to the WHL Eastern Conference Finals but if the Blades rebound Game 5 will be in Saskatoon on Friday.
