On the second stop of their Western Conference road trip, the Red Deer Rebels visit Angel of the Winds for a Wednesday contest with the Everett Silvertips. It’s the two clubs’ only matchup this season, and Red Deer is the final Central Division opponent to swing through Everett this season.
Trend
The Rebels are slumping as of late, dropping five straight and seven of their last 10 entering a Tuesday matchup at Spokane. After two weekend losses, Red Deer was jumped by Calgary in the standings, and the Hitmen now lead the Rebels by a point for the first Eastern Conference wild card spot.
Forward to watch — Brandon Hagel
Hagel leads the Rebels in goals (30) and assists (47) and is fifth in the Western Hockey League with 77 points. The Blackhawks prospect was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL draft, but Buffalo lost his draft rights after failing to sign him, and the Chicago Blackhawks inked him to an entry-level deal in October.
Defenseman to watch — Alexander Alexeyev
The Russian defenseman leads all Red Deer blueliners with nine goals and three assists. Alexeyev was the Capitals’ first-round pick (No. 31 overall) in the 2018 NHL draft and signed an entry-level contract with Washington in September.
What’s in net?
Red Deer has leaned heavily on 2000-born goaltender Ethan Anders, who boasts a 3.10 goals against average and a .908 save percentage in 42 games played. 2001-born Byron Fancy has been solid in limited action, with a 3.02 goals against average and a .900 save percentage in 15 games.
Draft prospect to watch – Oleg Zaytsev
The sturdy 6-foot-1, 180-pound center is the No. 38 ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting and No. 71 by TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Zaytsev, a rookie, is seventh on the Rebels with 32 points in 49 games.
Rookie to watch — Zaytsev
See above.
Tale of the tape (entering Tuesday)
Everett TEAM Red Deer
38-13-1-1 RECORD 29-19-3-1
78 points, 1st in U.S. STANDING 60 points, 5th in Central
1-0-0-0 STREAK 0-4-1-0
6-4-0-0 LAST 10 3-6-1-0
+ 81 GOAL DIFF. +4
1st meeting HEAD TO HEAD 1st meeting
22.5 (8th) POWER PLAY 19.4 (15th)
84.3 (3rd) PENALTY KILL 76.9 (17th)
LW Connor Dewar TOP SKATERS LW Brandon Hagel
(34 goals, 38 assists) (30 goals, 47 assists)
RW Bryce Kindopp RW Reece Johnson
(30 goals, 28 assists) (20 goals, 22 assists)
C Zack Andrusiak C Brett Davis
(35 goals, 21 assists) (17 goals, 24 assists)
Dustin Wolf NO. 1 GOALIE Ethan Anders
(34-12-1-0, 1.77, .933) (23-14-3-0, 3.10, 3.02)
Key injuries/suspensions
Everett: C Riley Sutter (lower body); RW Dawson Butt (upper body)
Red Deer: None
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