Rebels Turn Back Spokane Third-Period Scoring Binge Lifts Red Deer To 8-3 Win Over Chiefs
Red Deer caught a second wind and blew away the Spokane Chiefs Friday night.
After the Chiefs had scrambled back from a three-goal deficit to get within a goal, the Rebels erupted for three goals in 3:16 midway through the third period and rolled to an 8-3 Western Hockey League victory.
A sellout crowd of 5,976 in the Centrium saw the Rebels win for just the third time in 11 games while dealing Spokane only its fourth loss in 11 games and snapping a budding two-game win streak that had pulled the Chiefs above the .500 mark.
Ty Jones’ 18th goal, a power-play marker 10:06 into the first period, when he redirected a pass from Greg Leeb between the pads of Rebels goalie Mike Whitney, gave Spokane the early lead.
But while the Chiefs dominated the period, outshooting the Rebels 17-8 en route to a 37-31 margin in the game, Spokane had to settle for a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes.
Jonathan Zukiwsky’s 18th goal, 2:06 after Jones’ goal, triggered a run of four straight for Red Deer.
Greg Schmidt scored twice within 2:40 early in the second period and Rebels scoring leader B.J. Young banged in a slap shot for his 35th goal at 18:22 and Red Deer was in control.
Chiefs rookie Blake Evans finished off a breakaway 6:19 into the third, and Marian Cisar scored his 15th 41 seconds later to get Spokane within a goal - and get the Rebels’ attention.
Red Deer took a time out - then took out Spokane. Zukiwsky’s second goal of the game ignited the Rebels. Then Schmidt finished a hat trick 1:53 later and Aaron Asham scored his 31st just 1:23 after that. Brad Rohrig’s first WHL goal at the 18:25 mark capped the scoring.
xxxx UP NEXT Spokane travels to Calgary Sunday at 1:30 p.m.