ASSINIBOIA — After much hope and anticipation when the Rebels dug deep, earning them a playoff spot on the Prairie Junior Hockey League, the season has concluded for the team, losing four straight games to Fort Knox.
It was a rough start for the Jr. Rebels, dropping their three opening games of the Prairie Junior Hockey League playoffs against Fort Knox, putting their backs against the wall in a best-of-seven series.
Game one on the road was lost by a score of 6-1. Game two was a penalty-filled outing, resulting in a loss of 7-2. Assiniboia’s only goals of the game came in the third period but the efforts were two late. According to the PJHL website, Assiniboia was assessed eight of the 18 penalties in the second period.
In a best-of-seven series, the Rebels were now in the pressure position of having to win games to keep this playoff series alive, with Fort Knox having a chokehold on the hometown team. The Rebels lost another one on the road, being blanked 6-0 in game three.
Game four was back at Southland Co-op Centre, and even the increased energy brought by home town fans wasn’t enough to overcome a strong Fort Knox team, as they took the series and advanced in the PJHL playoffs.
Team President, Curtis Nelsen, reflects on the season, saying despite their playoff exit, there were of positives.
“We finished with more points than last year. We made it to the South final, which is the first time in five years the team has accomplished this. We have a good nucleus of players to work with that are all young, as we had a younger team this year, which will also provide more experience going forward.”
Next on the agenda for the Jr. Rebels is the open spring identification camp taking place April 5 and 6, and the executive is taking registration for players 16-20 to attend. That weekend will include a tournament and an end of year awards banquet for the team, parents’ players and camp attendees. The weekend will also include an intersquad game.
Nelson affirms that from that point forward, it will be time for a well-deserved break after almost seven months of hockey. There is a potential for a fundraising golf tournament this summer, but confirmed next on team leaders’ agenda is a training camp set for the end of August.
Overall, fans say they loved the excitement this home town team provided them throughout the season and judging by the amount of Rebels gear seen around town and the province, it was a united effort in supporting their team.
