Every team plays back to backs in this tournament, and it's up to the fresh team to take advantage of that.
The host Red Deer Rebels were that team tonight, and they made the most of it. Not at first, however.
The Rebels were put at a disadvantage quickly when Nelson Nogier ('14 WPG) took two for cross checking three and a half minutes into the game. Timo Meier ('15 SJ), hero of RNH's win over Brandon, would score one minute into the power play to put the Huskies in the lead. Julien Nantel (undrafted) skates into the Rebels zone four minutes later to pad the lead to two.
Julien Nantel (undrafted), good composure with the puck, gives Rouyn-Noranda a 2-0 lead. #MCMemorialCup pic.twitter.com/Fwh6EpQmoF
— Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) May 22, 2016
Red Deer refused to back down, refused to be the host that rolls over for the champions. Evan Polei (undrafted) would score from the top of the circle to pull the rebels within one.
Adam Helewka ('15 SJ) would make the rest of the game Red Deer's when he pots a nice pass from Jake DeBrusk ('15 BOS) to tie the game 40 seconds into the second period.
Adam Helewka (SJS) ties the game at 2. Great feed from Jake DeBrusk (BOS). #MCMemorialCup pic.twitter.com/uqIC6uDfSN
— Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) May 23, 2016
For more coverage of the Memorial Cup, visit PPP's hub.
Debrusk would get a goal of his own, giving the Rebels the lead with a powerplay goal while Gabriel Fontaine ('16 Draft) sits for interference. Adam Helewka would get his second of the game, again from Debrusk, giving Red Deer insurance on their lead.
The third period sees frustrations and anger set in. Anthony-John Greer ('15 COL) would get two unsportsman like conducts and put the Huskies down a man when he's given a game misconduct halfway through the third period.
The Maple Leafs own Martins Dzierkals was venting frustrations of his own, getting a roughing penalty after getting into it with Hayden Fluery ('14 CAR), who got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of his own.
Hayden Fluery would have his revenge when he scores the fifth and final goal of the game at 16:56 of the third, while Gabriel Fontaine again sits in the box, this time for slashing.
Three Stars:
1 - Jake Debrusk, Red Deer
2 - Adam Helewka, Red Deer
3 - Adam Musil, Red Deer
The Rebels win is a big one, as the Huskies were up 1-0 in the standings and the hosts lost the first game of the tournament vs London. Both teams are now 1-1, and both teams have a -1 goal differential.
The next game is Monday May 23, at 7PM and sees the Brandon Wheat Kings face off against the London Knights.
