ASSINIBOIA – The Richardson Pioneer Southern Rebels hosted back-to-back match ups at the Southland Co-op Centre, with high hopes of adding to that W column.
First up was a contest against the visiting Saskatoon Westleys on Jan. 21, which began as a fairly equal effort by both sides.
The Westleys were able to hit the scoreboard initially, with two quick goals in the final minutes of the first frame. The Rebels answered with a beauty of a deke-out goal from Logan Fontaine (assisted by Larry Flett and Jayden Lupuliak), taking advantage of the power play opportunity mere seconds into the second period. Now within striking range, a renewed confidence hit the hometown boys.
However, Saskatoon would go on to dampen those spirits, adding four more goals before the period was through, taking a 6-1 lead. Third period action was where the wheels fell off, seeing the Westleys dominate play, and scoring as they mounted four more goals for a 10-1 final score.
Brushing off the loss and ready for a new chance on Jan. 22, the Rebels played host to the Regina Silver Foxes. A much tighter game with almost equal chances for both teams (the Foxes posted 34 shots on goal while the Rebels fired 28), three of those black biscuits would manage to find a chink in the armour.
Unfortunately, those biscuits belonged to Regina, who launched scoring with a power play goal late in the first period. They added to the lead as minutes counted down in the second, then took advantage of an empty net in the last minute of the game. The Silver Foxes jumped on the bus with a 3-0 win over the home team.
The Rebels will have another chance this week against those Silver Foxes, perhaps nabbing a W on the road in their barn on Jan. 26. The boys will round out the month at home on the 29th when they take on the Extreme Hockey Regina Capitals, then hosting the Pilot Butte Storm back at the Southland Co-op Arena.
