Chris Stedile
Castlegar News
The hometown Rebels smoked the competition this past week earning three victories at home and one on the road, pushing them ahead of Nelson and into first within the standings.
The first positionof a double header against the Grand Forks Border Bruins was a complete blowout with Castlegar taking the game 8-2.
Friday night’s outcome wasn’t due to the Bruins lack of effort, just an inability to capitalize on scoring chances. The shot tally by the end was near even with the visiting Rebels firing off 32 and the Bruins 30.
The first period began with two quick goals from Rebels’ players Cal Owens and Ryan Rosich before the five minute mark.
Grand Forks attempted to close the gap with an even strength goal from Bryson Yee, but not even 10 seconds later the Rebels brought the hammer down with another score by Mike Bhatoa.
The domination continued on through the second with early goals from Tyler Barrett and Konnor Madsen.
Two more Rebels goals in the second from Yannis Soukas and Bryan Lubin along with a power-play goal from Carson Wornig in the third ended the night at 8-2 for Castlegar.
The following game, hosted by Castlegar, had fans on the edge of their seat.
What seemed like another easy win for the Rebels quickly became a struggle.
Darren Medeiros netted one goal in the first period followed by two goals in the second from Dawson Haines and Jeremy McNeil.
Sitting at a 3-0 lead, the Rebels had become a bit too comfortable and before they knew it Grand Forks had banged in three pucks and tied it up just in time for regulation to end.
As an intense overtime period was winding down, Rebels’ Bryan Lubin found a chink in the goalie’s armour and scored for the win.
The final game was played in Spokane against their team, the Braves, on Tuesday.
Castlegar opened up the game by pouring on the pressure. Lindan Calliou and Ed Lindsey scored the first two goals within less than a minute of each other.
The Rebels almost staved off the opposing teams offence for the remainder of the period but with under a minute remaining Braves’, Danton Oliver’s shot found twine, making the score 2-1 heading into the second.
After 12 minutes of play in the second Mike Bhatoa scored the Rebels third goal.
Trying to stay in this game, the Braves managed a second goal with 32 seconds left but yet again Mike Bhatoa stepped up, answering with a goal of his own ten seconds later.
The Rebels then sealed the deal midway through the third with a goal from Lindan Calliou. The Rebels won the contest 5-3.