At the end of the season the Rebels may look back at the game against Osoyoos last night as the night the team found a new level. The Rebels dominated, particularly in the first and third periods, on the road against a solid Osoyoos Coyote team. Jordan Gluck got the start for Castlegar his first start since being traded from the Coyotes and played a very solid game making several key first period saves. After throwing many shots at the Yotes goalie Darren Hogg, Scotty Morisseau scored with only 12 seconds left in the first on passes from Arthur Andrews and Stuart Walton.
The Rebels continued to play hard into the second but ran into penalty trouble. The Coyote's effective power play resulted in two goals both by Steve Sasyniuk. The second period was mared by a very unfortunate incident. Coyote player Kam Crawford blind sided Rebel player Diego Bartlett with a hit to the head sending Bartlett crashing to the ice. Bartlett did not have the puck on the play. Erik Alden took exception to the play and a scrap ensued between Crawford and Alden. Crawford was assessed a major hitting to the head penalty and game misconduct. Alden, due to the fighting major was also given a game. Diego Bartlett was able to skate off the ice and did not return. In a conversation with Bartlett he indicated feeling much better after the game.
The Rebels responding brilliantly to the 1 goal deficit in the third. The only thing keeping the Rebs from burying the Coyotes was the strong goal tending of Darren Hogg. An early power play in the third saw Andrews chip in a nifty goal from a pass from Morisseau and Daylen Pearson. Towards the end of the period several great chances were turned aside by Hogg. Watching the game you could get that sinking feeling that a lucky bounce by the Coyotes would steal the hard working Rebels due heading into overtime.
The first and second overtime periods were even more exciting. The Rebels outshot the Yotes 8-0 in the first overtime but Hogg continued to hold his team in. The second OT like the first found the Rebels pressuring for the winner. With 35 seconds in the game Junker threw on Anthony Delong and Tyler Robinson up front for one last push and in a scramle in front of Hogg and with a few seconds on the clock Robinson pushed in the winner from Delong.
Overall a very strong team game for the Rebels from Jordan Gluck in goal and throughout the line-up.
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Back to Osoyoos and the Steam
Once again the Rebels head out in winter roads to take on Okanagan rivals. The team heads to Osoyoos tomorrow afternoon to renew the memorable battle the Coyotes. For those who played in the series last year and for new players, this game is a great chance for the team to tap into the emotions that big games on the road can generate. Beyond past experiences with these two teams, the Friday tilt has a few interesting story lines. New Rebel goalie Jordan Gluck will enter his old barn with the Rebels crest on his chest. The Coyotes will have recently acquired Cole Buckley from Grand Forks, Rebel's backup from last year, in their lineup. Nice to see Cole find his way to a competitive team. We'll see if they both get starts in the game.
Osoyoos is first in the Okanagan Division in a tight too and fro with Penticton. The Coyotes seem to be a team in transition, trading a goalie and also trading a couple of players to Summerland. One player traded from Osoyoos in the last few days was Sam Nigg, a spark plug and a pain in your backside type player from last year's Coyote team. This should be a very competitive game and a wonderful chance for a hard fought road win for the Rebels.
On Saturday, the team heads up the lake to play the Summerland Steam, Alex Ross' new team. Again an interesting story line. Summerland sits at the bottom of the Okanagan Division with a poor goals against number. The team's goals for indicate a team that can score and with Ross now on board, goal tending should be shored up. There is always some emotion when past team mates line up against one another and I expect some good hockey in this game too.
The team should be looking to use this weekend to pull together and bring a sustained, hard working, gritty effort as they prepare for a hockey filled December. December is filled with chances to meet tough challenges and climb the standings in games against Princeton and Kelowna and Neil Murdoch rumbles with Nelson, Spokane, and Beaver Valley. I'll be tweeting game scores throughout the weekend. Bring on winter!
Osoyoos is first in the Okanagan Division in a tight too and fro with Penticton. The Coyotes seem to be a team in transition, trading a goalie and also trading a couple of players to Summerland. One player traded from Osoyoos in the last few days was Sam Nigg, a spark plug and a pain in your backside type player from last year's Coyote team. This should be a very competitive game and a wonderful chance for a hard fought road win for the Rebels.
On Saturday, the team heads up the lake to play the Summerland Steam, Alex Ross' new team. Again an interesting story line. Summerland sits at the bottom of the Okanagan Division with a poor goals against number. The team's goals for indicate a team that can score and with Ross now on board, goal tending should be shored up. There is always some emotion when past team mates line up against one another and I expect some good hockey in this game too.
The team should be looking to use this weekend to pull together and bring a sustained, hard working, gritty effort as they prepare for a hockey filled December. December is filled with chances to meet tough challenges and climb the standings in games against Princeton and Kelowna and Neil Murdoch rumbles with Nelson, Spokane, and Beaver Valley. I'll be tweeting game scores throughout the weekend. Bring on winter!
Monday, 21 November 2011
Rebels Make a Change
The Rebels have made a player change. In an interview today Steve Junker was able to report that the team traded veteran goalie Alex Ross to Summerland. The trade was a three way deal with the Osoyoos Coyotes moving goalie Jordan Gluck to the Rebels. I will update the Summerland to Osoyoos portion of the deal in a day or so.
Alex Ross, had a solid two and a half seasons with the Rebels punctuated by a very memorable playoff run last year. Steve noted the trade "gives Alex a new opportunity that the change in scenery often brings". He noted Alex was a good kid and wished him well.
Fans may remember that they have seen Jordan Gluck, our new goalie. Jordan started for Osoyoos when the Coyotes where in town in October, leading his team to a win making 38 saves. Jordan, a 19 year old, is from Scarsdale New York. A rookie in the KIJHL his 2.86 goals against and .90 save percent are very solid numbers. Junker feels goaltending is a real strong point with the Rebels. He noted, "Connor Beauchamp has played strong, consistent goaltending". With the addition of Jordan Gluck the Rebels "will possess a good 1-2 punch and a healthy competition for starts".
With the league requirement that team roster cards be down to 25 by December 1, I asked Steve if fans can expect more changes to the team. He indicated that the team "continues to look for a player or two that can help the club". Steve identified a veteran defenseman and a top six forward are pieces to the puzzle he is looking for. He noted, "I expect to make some changes to the team in the coming days".
Steve noted some positive signs as the team approaches the mid-point to the season. "The team has a number of young players and yet we sit a respectable fifth overall in the league and in the hunt for the Division lead with Beaver Valley and Nelson" and "with the time for being awestruck over, improved and gritty play by the younger players will make a big difference". He observed, Stuart Walton and Anthony Delong have provided good leadership and some consistent scoring. Tyler Robinson has provided some physical presence. On the rookie front, Steve noted, "Heinrich has been good and recently Cody Disher has stepped up his game. Junker did mention that veteran Scotty Morisseau "continues the road to game fitness, is working hard and scoring will come".
In other news, several Rebels have recently made successful appearances with the Trail Smoke Eaters as Affiliate Players (AP). Stuart Walton, Arthur Andrews, and Brenden Heinrich tallied assists in their first games. Joren Johnson and Aaron Brewer also had good Junior A first games.
Alex Ross, had a solid two and a half seasons with the Rebels punctuated by a very memorable playoff run last year. Steve noted the trade "gives Alex a new opportunity that the change in scenery often brings". He noted Alex was a good kid and wished him well.
Fans may remember that they have seen Jordan Gluck, our new goalie. Jordan started for Osoyoos when the Coyotes where in town in October, leading his team to a win making 38 saves. Jordan, a 19 year old, is from Scarsdale New York. A rookie in the KIJHL his 2.86 goals against and .90 save percent are very solid numbers. Junker feels goaltending is a real strong point with the Rebels. He noted, "Connor Beauchamp has played strong, consistent goaltending". With the addition of Jordan Gluck the Rebels "will possess a good 1-2 punch and a healthy competition for starts".
With the league requirement that team roster cards be down to 25 by December 1, I asked Steve if fans can expect more changes to the team. He indicated that the team "continues to look for a player or two that can help the club". Steve identified a veteran defenseman and a top six forward are pieces to the puzzle he is looking for. He noted, "I expect to make some changes to the team in the coming days".
Steve noted some positive signs as the team approaches the mid-point to the season. "The team has a number of young players and yet we sit a respectable fifth overall in the league and in the hunt for the Division lead with Beaver Valley and Nelson" and "with the time for being awestruck over, improved and gritty play by the younger players will make a big difference". He observed, Stuart Walton and Anthony Delong have provided good leadership and some consistent scoring. Tyler Robinson has provided some physical presence. On the rookie front, Steve noted, "Heinrich has been good and recently Cody Disher has stepped up his game. Junker did mention that veteran Scotty Morisseau "continues the road to game fitness, is working hard and scoring will come".
In other news, several Rebels have recently made successful appearances with the Trail Smoke Eaters as Affiliate Players (AP). Stuart Walton, Arthur Andrews, and Brenden Heinrich tallied assists in their first games. Joren Johnson and Aaron Brewer also had good Junior A first games.
November 19-20 Weekend Wrap-up
The Rebels braved the wintery roads last Thursday and as expected came out on top over the Grand Forks Border Bruins 5-1. As was also expected Saturday's game in Spokane was a much sterner test. Spokane started the game on the right foot scoring two goals both from their forward Nick Redding. Stuart Walton responded later in the period from Nolan Kinney. However, the hated late period goal was scored by Spokane's Zak Kroll sending the Rebels to the dressing room down 3-1 after the first. The Rebels started with much more urgency in the second tying the game up with a goal by Riley Ostoforoff from Scotty Morisseau and Walton and then on the power play with Anthony Delong from Walton again and Daylen Pearson. In the third the Rebels peppered 19 shots on Spokane's Branden Amatto without any success. The Braves veteran Uriah Machuga, a thorn in the Rebels side all night, scored the game winner late in the final period.
After the long bus ride home early Sunday morning the Rebels had little time to rest. Playing their fourth game in six days, the Rebels hosted Penticton Sunday afternoon at home. While the Rebels controlled much of the play through the first they struggled to create quality scoring chances and the period ended with no scoring. The second brought much more offense. The Rebels scored early in the second frame with Dylan Houle converting a nice pass play from Delong and Tyler Robinson. Brayden Horcoff then put the Rebs up 2-0 from Arthur Andrews and Cody Disher. Penticton brought the Lakers within a goal with a power play goal from Steven Killy. Delong scored with only 8 seconds left in the second and what turned out to be the winner from Horcoff and Andrews. Penticton stayed close with a third period goal from Kale Erickson. However the Rebels held on for the 3-2 win. Connor Beauchamp played a very steady game for the Rebels. The Rebels ended the Penticton game 0-7 on the power play.
After the long bus ride home early Sunday morning the Rebels had little time to rest. Playing their fourth game in six days, the Rebels hosted Penticton Sunday afternoon at home. While the Rebels controlled much of the play through the first they struggled to create quality scoring chances and the period ended with no scoring. The second brought much more offense. The Rebels scored early in the second frame with Dylan Houle converting a nice pass play from Delong and Tyler Robinson. Brayden Horcoff then put the Rebs up 2-0 from Arthur Andrews and Cody Disher. Penticton brought the Lakers within a goal with a power play goal from Steven Killy. Delong scored with only 8 seconds left in the second and what turned out to be the winner from Horcoff and Andrews. Penticton stayed close with a third period goal from Kale Erickson. However the Rebels held on for the 3-2 win. Connor Beauchamp played a very steady game for the Rebels. The Rebels ended the Penticton game 0-7 on the power play.
After the weekend I spoke with Coach Junker of the Rebels and he mentioned the need for more commitment from the players to win the tight games, "I am looking for more emotion from some of my players in how they respond to play on the ice". He noted he is looking for the younger players to dig deeper,"the veteran players are supposed to do it all and right now they are doing that and now the young guys need to step up". He also noted the veteran guys need to continue to set a tone and show the leadership and emotion needed as the season progresses.
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
The Week Ahead
The Rebels enter the week with high expectations. Starting last night with the first game of a home and home series with the Grand Forks Border Bruins. Talking with Steve Junker earlier in the week, he described the challenge of facing a team mired in a winless season thus far, "the players and fans expect an easy win, yet winning is never easy". Last night's game was a case in point. While the Rebels created some scoring opportunities in the first two periods, solid goaltending by GF's Cole Buckley, and some gritty play by the Bruin players had the score at 1-1 late into the second period, with Anthony Delong for the Rebels and Jacob Bergeron doing the damage. A late goal by Arthur Andrews had the Rebels skating to the dressing room holding as 2-1 lead. Not until the third did the Rebels take advantage of their puck possession and shots on goal margin and finished out with a 5-1 win with Nolan Kinney scoring two goals including a nifty backhand shot and Stuart Walton with one. The line of Walton, Kinney and Robinson was the bright light in an otherwise quiet game. As they say, a win is a win.
The Rebels travel over "the hump" to GF Thursday and look to take advantage of one of their games in hand on the Nelson Leafs and work for a win. The weekend finds the Rebels playing some teams higher in the standings. On Saturday the Rebels head south to take on the Braves in Spokane. Spokane has always been a difficult team to play, particularly on their home ice. Junker noted, "we expect a tough game..their team has solid goaltending and some talent in their lineup". Sunday afternoon, in the Castlegar complex at 2:00 pm, should be the toughest test of the weekend and a chance for the Rebels to gain a win over a disciplined Penticton team, a team they lost too a week ago. Coach Junker's thoughts included, " the Penticton team plays hard and with an airtight defensive system that we could learn a thing or to from".
Come out a cheer your team on this Sunday. Look here for more stories through the weekend.
The Rebels travel over "the hump" to GF Thursday and look to take advantage of one of their games in hand on the Nelson Leafs and work for a win. The weekend finds the Rebels playing some teams higher in the standings. On Saturday the Rebels head south to take on the Braves in Spokane. Spokane has always been a difficult team to play, particularly on their home ice. Junker noted, "we expect a tough game..their team has solid goaltending and some talent in their lineup". Sunday afternoon, in the Castlegar complex at 2:00 pm, should be the toughest test of the weekend and a chance for the Rebels to gain a win over a disciplined Penticton team, a team they lost too a week ago. Coach Junker's thoughts included, " the Penticton team plays hard and with an airtight defensive system that we could learn a thing or to from".
Come out a cheer your team on this Sunday. Look here for more stories through the weekend.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Mixed Results
The Rebels returned home early Sunday morning with mixed results. On Friday Princeton Posse scored early in the first but that was all they could muster. The Rebels replied soon after on the power play with Bryce Eviston from Eric Alden and Stuart Walton. In the second the Rebels continued to find their legs and scored two, the first by Scott Morisseau from Anthony Delong and Arthur Andrews and then again on the power play by Tyler Robinson from Walton and Diego Bartlett. In a penalty filled third period the Rebels rounded out their scoring with Tyler Jones from Joren Johnson and Peter Mingus. Connor Beauchamp got the start in goal and was steady again stopping 19 shots. Stuart Walton was selected as the games first star.
Saturday evening found the Rebels up against Division leading Penticton Lakers. The Lakers brought a determined work ethic and outworked the Rebels. The line of Sasha Hahn, Dylan Sahara,and Kale Erickson combined to score goals in the first and third to lead the Lakers to a 2-0 shutout win. This game had followed a 6-3 Friday night loss for the Lakers over the Rebel rivals Beaver Valley Nite Hawks. While the Rebels did manage 28 shots on goal to the Lakers 21 shots, goalie Jessie Gordichuk kept the clean sheet for Okanagan team. Several fights also occurred during the game. Beauchamp again started for the Rebels. The shut out loss highlights some of the struggles the Rebels have had scoring during the season so far.
The Saturday loss finds the Rebels losing a bit of ground to the Nite Hawks who came away from the weekend with two wins against the same two teams the Rebels played. Nelson won over the struggling Grand Forks Border Bruins leaving a log jam at the top of the Neil Murdoch.
The Rebels have little time for a rest as they play a home and home with the Bruins starting in the Castlegar Complex, this Tuesday Nov. 15 at 7:30 pm, then in Grand Forks on Thursday at 7:30 pm. On Saturday, Nov. 19 the Rebels travel to Spokane to take on the Braves and then close out the week at home Nov. 20 Sunday at 2:00 pm looking for revenge against Penticton. Should be some post weekend reflection and glance at the week ahead with coach Steve Junker in a day or so.
Saturday evening found the Rebels up against Division leading Penticton Lakers. The Lakers brought a determined work ethic and outworked the Rebels. The line of Sasha Hahn, Dylan Sahara,and Kale Erickson combined to score goals in the first and third to lead the Lakers to a 2-0 shutout win. This game had followed a 6-3 Friday night loss for the Lakers over the Rebel rivals Beaver Valley Nite Hawks. While the Rebels did manage 28 shots on goal to the Lakers 21 shots, goalie Jessie Gordichuk kept the clean sheet for Okanagan team. Several fights also occurred during the game. Beauchamp again started for the Rebels. The shut out loss highlights some of the struggles the Rebels have had scoring during the season so far.
The Saturday loss finds the Rebels losing a bit of ground to the Nite Hawks who came away from the weekend with two wins against the same two teams the Rebels played. Nelson won over the struggling Grand Forks Border Bruins leaving a log jam at the top of the Neil Murdoch.
The Rebels have little time for a rest as they play a home and home with the Bruins starting in the Castlegar Complex, this Tuesday Nov. 15 at 7:30 pm, then in Grand Forks on Thursday at 7:30 pm. On Saturday, Nov. 19 the Rebels travel to Spokane to take on the Braves and then close out the week at home Nov. 20 Sunday at 2:00 pm looking for revenge against Penticton. Should be some post weekend reflection and glance at the week ahead with coach Steve Junker in a day or so.
Friday, 11 November 2011
Traveling West
This weekend the Rebels head west to face two tough Okanagan Division opponents, and a chance to continue with their recent winning ways. On Friday, Princeton Posse hosts the Rebels at 7 pm. Princeton, like the Rebels, are just a few points out of first place in a tight divisional race. Saturday the Rebels roll into Penticton to play the division leaders Lakers, again with a 7 pm start. Heading into the weekend Penticton is tied for the division lead with Osoyoos. Penticton has a couple of local guys on their team, Tanner Johnson an AP with the team I believe and Adam Plant who used to play in Nelson's minor hockey system and is having a good start to his inaugural KIJHL season.
I had the chance to talk with Rebels coach Steve Junker before the bus left this morning about the Okanagan games. He noted, " we do not see these teams very often" and followed up by noting, "Princeton plays in a small rink and typically have a physical team, while Penticton with a larger arena has had a strong skating team". Steve is expecting two extremes with a battling contest tonight and a face paced game Saturday.
Steve mentioned, " we are coming off a successful weekend and the team made some good strides". He hopes to have D-man Daylen Pearson back in the lineup likely in Saturdays game with Penticton. Steve sees this weekend as, "another road trip to come together" where, " I am looking for a better outcome from the East Kootenay trip where we let some games slip away where we had control". Here's looking for a great weekend ahead for the Rebels.
I had the chance to talk with Rebels coach Steve Junker before the bus left this morning about the Okanagan games. He noted, " we do not see these teams very often" and followed up by noting, "Princeton plays in a small rink and typically have a physical team, while Penticton with a larger arena has had a strong skating team". Steve is expecting two extremes with a battling contest tonight and a face paced game Saturday.
Steve mentioned, " we are coming off a successful weekend and the team made some good strides". He hopes to have D-man Daylen Pearson back in the lineup likely in Saturdays game with Penticton. Steve sees this weekend as, "another road trip to come together" where, " I am looking for a better outcome from the East Kootenay trip where we let some games slip away where we had control". Here's looking for a great weekend ahead for the Rebels.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Introduction
This is the first post of the Rebel Insider, a place you can look for stories about the KIJHL's Castlegar Rebels. Readers will find information about the team as they prepare for games, with scores and updates as the game progresses, and some post game analysis. You should also find some commentary from the coaching staff and the players and hey maybe a few tid bits from other sources! When this reporter figures the blogging world out you might also find audio clips and some pictures.
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