CALGARY — So far so good for the Red Deer Optimist Rebels Chiefs at the Mac’s midget AAA hockey tournament.
The Rebels ran their record to 2-0 with a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Royals at Father David Bauer Arena Thursday.
Red Deer got goals from Dustin Gorgi at 1:24 and Chase Thudium at 19:37 of the first period, then rode the goaltending of Matt Zentner, who finished with 22 saves.
Joshua McCulloch spoiled Zentner’s shutout bid with a second-period marker.
The Rebels, who took six of 10 minor penalties — six of seven over the first two periods, had 27 shots on the Royals Ryan Ferguson.
In other pool play Pirati Chomutov of the Czech Republic downed the Lloydminster Bobcats 5-3 in their first game of the tournament.
The Rebels are off today and meet the Bobcats at 8 a.m. Saturday at Father David Bauer and Pirati Sunday at 5:15 p.m. at the Max Bell Arenas.