ASSINIBOIA - What does a wild Saturday night look like in Assiniboia? Last week, it was heading over to the new Â鶹´«Ã½AVland Co-op Centre Arena for the Â鶹´«Ã½AVern Rebels’ home opener. Empty seats were few, and the 50/50 was high as fans watched the hometown Rebels hit the ice for the first time in their new home. One big surprise was revealed in who sang the national anthem - none other than Jann Arden appeared virtually on the rink’s scoreboard.
The visiting Carrot River Outback Thunder were quick to enter the scoring race within the first couple minutes of play, rounding out the first period with a 2-0 lead.
Rebel Rylan Numerich was able to break that goose egg with a veritable missile released from his stick, assisted by Jayden Lupuliak and Logan Fontaine. Fans roared as the Rebels entered the scoring race, but the Thunder answered to retain their three-goal lead, ending the second period 4-1.
Third period action saw Carrot River fire three quick goals mid-period, but the Rebels weren’t done yet. Carter Lamotte tickled the twine with his unassisted goal, followed by Chase Tenetuik (from Aydan Lawless and Lamotte) with a beauty of a goal.
Unfortunately, the end result was not in the Rebels’ favour, with the Thunder taking an 8-3 win from the hometown boys.
However, Sunday afternoon brought new promise as the Rebels played host to the Saskatoon Royals. Unfortunately, the Royals simply dominated play, amassing six points before the Rebels could toss a black biscuit in the basket.
Third period action saw two power play goals from Tenetuik (assisted by Lawless and Lamotte, then Lawless and Matt Mohart).
Saskatoon would go on to take the game 8-2, another tough loss for the boys at home.
It’s been a rough start for the 0-3 Rebels, but the season is young. Now starts a series of away games with the Rebels visiting Pilot Butte to take on the Storm; a couple games on the weekend in Carrot River; and journeys to Regina and Fort Qu’Appelle before the next home game on Sunday, Oct. 30.
Getting close to Halloween for that one, perhaps the Rebels can scare up a win against those Saskatoon Westleys.
