Rebels 3 Pats 2 (SO)

REGINA — Maybe it was the opportunity of being shown on national television that brought out some of the best in the Red Deer Rebels.

Whatever, the Rebels were clearly the superior team in Sportsnet West’s Western Hockey League presentation Tuesday, posting a 3-2 shootout win over the Regina Pats in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.

The visitors dominated the opening frame against the Pats, who looked very much like a team playing its fourth game in five nights, outshooting their hosts 13-4 before 4,111 fans at the Brandt Centre but getting just a single goal from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Regina defenceman Mitch McColm serving a hooking penalty.

“I thought we came out very focused and really had a good start and a good first period. We had some solid (scoring) opportunities,” said Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin.

“Their goaltender (Damien Ketlo) made some real good saves early in the game.”

Ketlo didn’t stop an early deflection by Landon Ferraro, which referee Adam Bylbow quickly waved off, claiming Ferraro redirected the puck with a high stick although a TV glance suggested that wasn’t the case. Despite Wallin’s protests, Bylbow refused to get the replay officials involved.

“We were getting pucks through to the net and our cycle was excellent. If the goal counts it’s 2-0 at the end of the period and then we really have a chance to take over the hockey game,” said Wallin.

Instead, the Pats stuck around — mainly due to the work of Ketlo — and pulled even at 14:18 of the second period when Matt Strueby connected during a two-man advantage.

Willie Coetzee restored the Rebels’ lead with a two-man advantage of their own early in the third period, driving a slapshot past Ketlo from 25 feet out, and the visitors seldom wavered down the stretch.

However, with Ketlo on the bench and the Pats applying some rare late pressure, Strueby blew a wrist shot past Red Deer goaltender Darcy Kuemper with just 11 seconds left in regulation time.

The clubs battled through a scoreless overtime frame, and after Kuemper surrendered a goal to Matt Strueby in the shootout, he denied Jordan Eberle and Jordan Weal.

At the other end, Ketlo stopped Ferraro and was then beaten by Coetzee and Brett Ferguson.

Wallin, who has replaced Kuemper with Kraymer Barnstable in earlier shootouts this season, decided to leave his No. 1 shooter in for the one-on-one competition.

“It was kind of a while back in the season where the shootouts were in his (Kuemper’s) head,” said Wallin.

“He did well in the shootouts last year so he knows he’s capable of it. With Darcy, it was just kind of a mental thing. He knew that and I think he’s gotten through that. He did a real good job tonight.”

Kuemper made 24 saves in regulation time and absolutely robbed Eberle in the overtime period. Ketlo, who made a series of big-time stops, finished with 34 saves.

“It was a little disappointing that we spotted them a point, but we found a way to win and it’s a big start to our road trip,” said Wallin, whose club is in Brandon tonight to face the Wheat Kings and will travel to Moose Jaw and Swift Current to battle the Warriors and Broncos Friday and Saturday.