Skip to content

Rebels even series with shutout win

Jesse Knowler and Taylor Anderson each scored in the second period, and Alex Ross made 21 saves as the Castlegar Rebels shut out Osoyoos 2-0 Wednesday to even the KIJHL finals at 2-2.
20624castlegarDPP_2533_sd
This puck narrowly missed the Castlegar net

What was once a best of seven has now become a best of three.

Jesse Knowler and Taylor Anderson each scored in the second period, and Alex Ross made 21 saves as the Castlegar Rebels shut out Osoyoos 2-0 Wednesday to even the KIJHL finals at 2-2.

It was a fitting result for a series that has seen both teams dominate at times, and each of the four games have hung in the balance until the dying moments.

The Rebels crashed, banged and slugged their way out of a 2-0 series deficit with both goals Wednesday coming off turnovers.

Knowler, a local product who enjoyed his 17th birthday last week, stripped a Coyotes defenceman at the blue line before rifling a wrist shot through Osoyoos goaltender Kyle Laslo at the 3:37 mark.

Anderson then nailed a Coyote in the corner to create a turnover in the final two minutes of the middle frame, allowing linemate Erik Wentzel to backhand the puck towards the net which he then converted for the game’s final goal.

Ross wasn’t forced into many precarious situations, but he and his penalty-killing unit were strong again Wednesday, including on one first-period kill that saw Stuart Walton, Jamie Vlanich, Erik Alden and Corbin Legros stuck in their defensive zone for the entire two minutes.

The Game 4 victory ensures one final home date for the Rebels Saturday at the Complex for Game 6, in which the KIJHL championship could be decided.

The two sides will face off in Osoyoos on Friday night.