Rebels 4 Northstars 1
The U15 AAA Red Deer Rebels have had an ideal start to their Alberta Elite Hockey League season.
The Rebels have won a trio of games and sit second in the division while pouring it on offensively with 15 total goals for and only seven goals against.
Red Deer carried on that success Saturday evening at Servus Arena with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Northstars.
Head coach Justin Jarmolicz said his team played a structured game and worked hard through all three periods.
“We got breaks when we needed them. The only goal they scored was a tough bounce off the end wall so they really played hard, blocked shots, and did all the little things they need to do to be successful,” he said.
“They’re really starting to come together. They’re improving as a group and their skill sets are always getting better… Their structure is good and we’re going to be hard to handle for a while.”
After a scoreless opening frame, the Rebels scored a pair of goals from forwards Crew Martinson and Kohen Lodge in the second period.
The Northstars answered with a goal early in the third period but both Martinson and Lodge would each add a goal for their second tucks of the game.
Rebels goaltender Carson Tourand made 17 saves in the effort and Northstars Ryley Budd had 28 stops.
“Those guys are solid back there and have done a good job for us so far this season. There are no complaints,” he said.
At this level of hockey, Jarmolicz said most athletes play a similar playstyle and that it’s important to have better awareness when out on the ice.
“There’s a lot of guys who can play the game well and they’re all here. You have to figure out what separates them. They have to learn to protect the puck better and they have to learn to distribute the puck better. That’s what U15 is all about,” he added.
The U15 AAA Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs also won their home opener Saturday 3-2 against the Rocky Mountain Raiders at the Collicutt Centre.
Irelyn Hutchison, Brooke Buelow, and Elise Slywka all scored for the Chiefs in the victory.
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The Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA celebrates a goal during a game against the Calgary Northstars Saturday evening at Servus Arena. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Advocate staff)
