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Rookie netminder leads Rebels to shutout win

Lamb solid in net as Rebels blank Rockets 5-0
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Red Deer Brandon Hagel keeps the puck in Kelowna Rockets zone as Rocket Conner Bruggen-Cate gives chase during first period action at the Centrium in Red Deer on Saturday. (Jeff Stokoe/Advocate staff)

Red Deer Rebels rookie netminder Riley Lamb has quickly gained the confidence of GM/head coach Brent Sutter, who started the River, Man., native for the second straight day Saturday against the Kelowna Rockets.

Lamb, who has played in four games in a row, showed why he’s earned that confidence with a solid 38-save performance in a 5-0 win over the Rockets in Western Hockey League action before 4,515 fans at the Centrium.

Lamb was on top of his game from the outset and was deserving of his first WHL shutout. He was never out of position and made a number of outstanding saves, with his best a scintillating glove save off Thomas Soustal, who walked into the slot.

Michael Spacek got Lamb all the help he needed, beating Kelowna netminder Brodan Salmond with a quick snap shot low to the stick side at 6:20 of the second period. Lamb kept the Rebels ahead with an outstanding shoulder save off Lucas Johansen, before Dawson Martin connected at 19:01 after winning a battle in the corner and darting out into the right circle and beating Salmond high to the short side.

Although they were outshot 12-9 in the third period, it belonged to the Rebels with Colton Bobyk scoring at 8:33 with a rocket from the right point, then helping set up goals by Spacek and Martin at 12:08 and 13:02.

The Rebels special teams were solid as they killed off five penalties and scored once in five attempts. They finished with 29 shots on goal and now have five days off before hosting Moose Jaw Oct. 14.

For a complete wrap of the win over Kelowna see Tuesday’s Advocate.