Rebels roust Chiefs Sunday, two games slated for this weekend
By Kyler Hilderman
Ed. Note: Kyler Hilderman is a 10-year-old hockey fanatic and a player in the Castlegar Minor Hockey League whose enthusiasm for the game is so spectacular, it only seemed right that he should be our Source for Rebels updates. He provides all the information, statistics and perspectives, while editor Kyra Hoggan writes up Hilderman’s input to conform to Canadian Press Style. We hope you enjoy his unique take on one of Castlegar’s favourite games!
The Castlegar Rebels rocked the Complex Sunday, still skating a high from pummeling Grand Forks 9-2 on the Bruins’ home habitat Friday. Sunday saw a similar drubbing when the Rebels hosted Kelowna just long enough to fire the Chiefs 4-1 and secure third place in the Neil Murdoch Division. The puck dropped at 2 p.m. and the Rebels played fast and clean, with #7, Stuart Walton, scoring unassisted with 11 minutes and 34 seconds left in the first period. They went on to dominate the second period, scoring three more goals (at 11:15 by #16 Anthony Delong, unassisted, at 4:23 by #24 Tyler Robinson assisted by #10 Braydon Horcoff and #4 Bryce Eviston, and a power-play goal with 2:48 left on the clock, by #14 Dylan Houle and assisted by #4 Bryce Eviston and #26 Erik Alden). The Chiefs rallied with 11 minutes left in the third period, scoring their one and only goal of the game (by #18 Kirk Reeve, assisted by #15 TJ Dumonceaux), but were outshot overall 35-31, while taking half again as many penalties as their opponents – giving the Rebels nine power plays compared to the six they took. Hilderman’s hockey hint: The stands were only about half full, but the Rebels gave fans their money’s worth with a game that was exciting despite its lack of fighting. While the Rebels are clearly gelling as a team and skating in concert more effectively, the Chiefs seemed to be giving up the puck a lot, with their goalie often poorly-positioned to defend the net – with obvious detrimental results. The Rebels second-period break-away goal should have fans who stayed home Sunday stinging – it was really something to see. That can be rectified this weekend, though, as the Rebels host two home games at the Complex this weekend, Friday against the Kimberley Dynamiters and Saturday against the Osoyoos Coyotes.
