TOUGH LOSS FOR REBELS FRIDAY
On Friday night the Rebels would have their last game before the holiday break in Beaver Valley to take on the 1st placed Nitehawks, hoping to make up some ground in the Neil Murdoch Division standings. This was the third match between the rival teams, the first coming in September in Beaver Valley, where the Rebels came out on top 7-6, and the second on October 22nd in Castlegar, where the Rebels were shut out 4-0. The Nitehawks would put the first one on the board just over 6 minutes into the opening frame, but later on in the period the Rebels power play would strike once again with Logan Styler burying a nice cross ice feed from John Moeller, with the second assist going to captain Daniel Petten. That would do it for the 1st, with Beaver Valley out shooting the Rebels 12-8. In the second period, the Rebels would score for the second time on the man advantage with Ed Lindsey scoring on a pass from Everett Hicks, and the other helper going to Logan Styler. But in the last 4 minutes of the period, the Nitehawks would score 2 goals to put themselves ahead 3-2 going into the 3rd period. The 3rd would turn out to be an ugly one as the Rebels found themselves trailing by a score of 6-2 not even 8 minutes into the period. It was a fairly rough ending to the game also, with both Kirkland Spencer and Nico Sidoni dropping the gloves and also 2 additional game ejections. Final shots in the game were 48-24 for the Nitehawks, as this one was a tough loss for the Rebels who were hoping to head in to the break on a winning note.
The Rebels are now 27 games into the regular season (16-11), well over half way through it and find themselves in 3rd place in the Neil Murdoch Division, with the Grand Forks Border Bruins ahead of Castlegar by 5 points, but also with 5 games in hand. After what was a bumpy start to the season, with a 4-7-0 record in the first 11 games, the Rebels really turned things around by not losing a single game all the way from October 29th until the Creston Valley Thunder Cats ended their streak on December 2nd. Ever since that game, the Rebels find themselves 2-2. One of the keys to the Rebels success has been their special teams, with the Power Play now 3rd in the league at 23.6%. The Rebels have proven that regardless of which unit they have out on the man advantage, it can be dangerous, proving to be something tough to handle for opposing teams. On the flip side of things, the Rebels penalty kill is also 3rd in the league, clicking along at 86.9%. With the relentless and very structured penalty kill, many teams are finding it tough to get any quality chances against the Rebels when they are a man short. The top line of John Moeller, Ed Lindsey, as well as Logan Styler are all in the top 20 in league scoring, with Styler and Lindsey coming in at 2nd and 3rd in the whole KIJHL, both averaging 2 points per game.
Goaltending has been strong also for the Rebels, with Jason Mailhiot and Curt Doyle coming up big in key situations for the team. The Rebels are currently on their holiday break, but starting on Wednesday, December 28th, they will get right back at it with a game in Beaver Valley where they will be looking for some revenge, followed by another tilt between the two in Castlegar at the Complex on December 30th. They will then head to Grand Forks on New Years Eve. The Rebels would like to wish all of their fans and supporters a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and also send a big thank you out to all of the community’s continued support. We encourage everyone to come out to our remaining home games this season and help the team make a deep run in the playoffs, it looks like it is going to be a bright ending of the season for the Rebels, but we can't do it without our fans so come out, cheer loud, and be proud! #wearerebels
Stay connected to the Rebels online by following @RebelsCastlegar on twitter and by liking the Castlegar Rebels page and the Castlegar Rebels Fan Club on facebook. The Rebels have one more game before the break on Friday night in Beaver Valley. The team has been hot going into the break going 10-2 over the last 12 games. Thank you for all the support and have a safe, fun holiday season!
Head Coach Bill Rotheisler had this to say about his Captain and this weeks Player of The Week, Daniel Petten! We put alot of stock into the Leaders Eat Last’s idea. Everyone gets distracted by simply making the most alpha player Captain, instead of using that as simply one criteria and combining all qualitites of a leader. Dan provides that quality, but in a calculated way. He works hard everyday, is consistent, is strong on both sides of the ice but also contributes with duties around the dressing room, setting the example instead of just directing it.
REBEL OF THE WEEK: Logan Styler
Logan collected a goal and an assist in a 6-2 loss to Beaver Valley. Styler is an alternate captain for the Rebels and currently goes into the Christmas Break leading the KIJHL in scoring with 51 points in 26 games.
WIN GAME TICKETS HERE! TRIVIA!
The Rebels roster this season has a fair amount of local talent on the team. How many Rebels players are from Castlegar? Text the correct answer to 250.304.8527. The first three right answers will receive two free Rebels game tickets!!
