The Red Deer Rebels wrapped up training camp on Tuesday with their annual black-and-white game.
Reece Gault scored twice for Team Black in a 2-1 win over Team White in a physical affair at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
Cohen Poulin gave team white the lead 5:22 into the first period when he knocked in the rebound off a Jace Weir point shot. That was the only time they found the back of the net and were outshot 39-28 by Team Black.
Gault tied it up later in the period with a shot from the left side that beat the goalie in the top left corner. After the first intermission, Gault struck again with a point shot that went in through traffic.
Head coach Dave Struch said after a long week of camp, he feels really good about how his team responded.
"The way we practiced for sure is probably some of the hardest stuff that these guys have done, especially this early in the year," he said. "We hope the way we did it pays off for us."
Defenceman Matteo Fabrizi laid a few big hits as well as Ethan Park, who's battling for a roster spot and the opportunity to be signed by the club. Rebels import player Kasper Pikkarainen also didn't shy away from the physical play.
"Well, yeah because we've been practicing for an hour and fifteen minutes in the mornings and playing games at night. I think for the most part tonight it was a really good showing," he added.
"Our young guys played really good hockey they weren't shying away, they competed hard and they stayed engaged. Our old guys we hope that they got some of the turnovers out of the way tonight before they go to NHL camp. I think overall training camp has been really good for us."
Struch explained that Chase Wutzke (Minnesota Wild), Ollie Josephson (Seattle Kraken), Kalan Lind (Nashville Predators), and Kasper Pikkarainen (New Jersey Devils) will head to NHL camps between the 8th and 11th.
The Rebels plan to dress mostly young players throughout the preseason including some of their 15-year-old prospects while the veteran players will watch from the stands. They will dress 14-15 forwards followed by 7-8 defencemen.
Josephson said after the game that overall training camp was really tough but thought everyone did well from the fitness testing to Tuesday night's black-and-white game. He even praised some of the young players for coming to camp prepared.
"It got pretty chippy tonight. Guys were going at it, especially for being teammates but I think that's good. I think you need that competitive spirit within your team and I think it will only help us in the long run," Josephson said.
Josephson explained that over the offseason he put on muscle and got stronger but also focused on improving his cardio.
The third-year forward also had nothing but good things about his head coach who conducted his first training camp as the Rebels bench boss.
"I'm a really big fan of him. I think he means well and he pushes you. He gets the best out of you every day, which I love. He makes us better every day so he's a great coach and I'm looking forward to this year with him leading us."
The Rebels will begin preseason action this weekend beginning with a matchup in Calgary on Friday with the Hitmen followed by a home game on Saturday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 7 p.m.
