By Lorne Starko /
Red Deer Rebels fans had something to cheer about as the Western Hockey League’s regular season wound down. That came as the team missed the playoffs for the second straight year and for the third time in four seasons. But there was a chance to play spoilers and the Rebels relished the opportunity.
The team they had a chance to inflict harm on was the Edmonton Oil Kings who were in a battle with the Prince Albert Raiders for the eighth and final playoff sport in the Eastern Conference.
The Rebels and Oil Kings hooked up in the final two games of the season. The Rebels prevailed 3-2 in the first set of the home and home series in Red Deer. The Raiders lost to Saskatoon on the same night and had played their final regular season game.
Edmonton and Prince Albert were tied and all the Oil Kings needed was a single point in their season finale against the Rebels. Red Deer got two goals from 20 year-old graduating forward Carter Smith, which was enough to send the Rebels to a ?2-1 victory.
The loss sent the Oil Kings into a one game showdown with the Raiders for the last playoff spot. The Rebels had done their part.
Both games against Edmonton had a playoff-like atmosphere. For the Oil Kings, the games meant something. The games didn’t mean anything mathematically for the Rebels, but there was pride at stake. The team wanted to go out on a winning note. Making life miserable for a division rival was the incentive.
It was somewhat fitting that Carter Smith was the hero for the Rebels in their final game. His status for the final weekend was in doubt as he was recovering from an injury, but Smith was healthy enough that he was able to suit up. He had missed a few games as had fellow 20 year-old forward Brennan Wray.
“It was good to see our team play like that (against Edmonton),” said Smith. “It sure felt good.
I’m glad I could go out like that. I think our team made big strides this year and I was glad to be part of it. I feel every game this season we worked hard. Sometimes we came up short but every night we gave it 100 percent effort. Every day in practice it was the same way.”
Both Smith and Wray didn’t want to miss the last two games of their Junior careers. They, along with 20 year-old defenceman Luke Egener, were saying goodbye to the Rebels but they wanted a last chance to put a positive end to what has been a rather disappointing season.
The trio was chosen as the three stars in the team’s final regular season game at home at the Centrium.
“This season was a lot more successful than people think,” says Wray. “Last year, we had a lot of issues. This year with Jesse Wallin stepping in as head coach, he did a great job addressing them. I think we really turned them around. With the core group of young guys we’ve got here, I think there’s a bright future here.”
Egener wishes he didn’t have to leave as a player because he sees a lot of promise. And he feels it would be special to be a part of it.
“I kind of wish I was a rookie now,” Egener says. “With the prospects they have coming in (like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Daulton Siwak), I think it’s absolutely amazing. It’s going to be the Rebels team I remember watching (against the Hitmen in Calgary) when I was kid.”
On the second last weekend of the regular season, the Rebels handed out some year-end hardware.
Second year forward Landon Ferraro was named most valuable player. Defenceman Cullen Morin was chosen as the defenceman of the year for the second straight season. In addition, he was selected as the winner of the Player’s Award, which is voted on by the Rebels players. It’s the judgement of your peers.
Luke Egener was the fans’ choice for player of the year. Alex Petrovic was the rookie of the year and Josh Cowen was the most underrated player. Carter Smith won the humanitarian award and team captain Colin Archer was the player with the best scholastic achievements. |
