It truly was a case of “last shot wins”, and the Red Deer Rebels ended up out-lasting the Saskatoon Blades 7-6 in a shootout Tuesday night at SaskTel Centre.

Talon Brigley’s tally in the fourth round of the penalty shot competition gave Red Deer the extra point in the standings without ever leading in the game played before 2,741 fans. The result tarnished a big night for the Bridge City Bunch duo of Tristen Robins and Kyle Crnkovic. Robins was in on all six Blue and Gold goals, scoring once and assisting on the other five. Crnkovic notched his second career hat trick and added two helpers as the Blades were out-shot 42-21. Robins added a shootout goal, but that was overcome by Liam Keeler and Brigley as Saskatoon’s record dropped to 16-13-2 and extended their home-ice winless skid to 0-3-1. Brandon Lisowsky and Jayden Wiens added power play goals for the Bridge City Bunch who were 3-for-4 with the man advantage after being goal-less in their previous 18 chances coming into the contest. The Blue and Gold return to action Thursday when they host the arch-rival Prince Albert Raiders at 7 p.m. Following is the official game summary, courtesy the W-H-L, plus post-game Zoom comments from head coach Brennan Sonne, Robins and Crnkovic…..

Red Deer Rebels 7 (SO) at Saskatoon Blades 6 – Status: Final SO
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK

Red Deer 1 4 1 0 – 7
Saskatoon 3 3 0 0 – 6

1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Robins 13 (Wright, Crnkovic), 7:07 (PP). 2, Red Deer, King 20 (Bains, Larson), 7:24. 3, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 17 (Robins), 8:42. 4, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 16 (De La Gorgendiere, Robins), 16:58 (PP). Penalties-Lind Rd (checking to the head), 5:51; Rhinehart Sas (cross checking), 8:57; Brigley Rd (tripping), 15:53.

2nd Period-5, Red Deer, Brigley 2 (Kyle Masters, King), 3:26. 6, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 18 (De La Gorgendiere, Robins), 7:59. 7, Saskatoon, Wiens 8 (Robins, Crnkovic), 9:39 (PP). 8, Red Deer, Bains 16 (Larson), 9:50. 9, Red Deer, Liam Keeler 9   12:00. 10, Red Deer, Isley 4 (Stevenson, Liam Keeler), 17:35. 11, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 19 (Robins, De La Gorgendiere), 19:53. Penalties-Rhinehart Sas (checking to the head), 5:22; Melin Rd (checking from behind), 8:22.

3rd Period-12, Red Deer, King 21 (Stevenson), 10:42 (PP). Penalties-Isley Rd (tripping), 4:28; Hansen Sas (high sticking), 10:10.

OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout – Red Deer 2 (Bains NG, King NG, Keeler G, Brigley G), Saskatoon 1 (Crnkovic NG, Robins G, Lisowsky NG, Molendyk NG).
Shots on Goal-Red Deer 14-15-12-1-1-43. Saskatoon 6-7-5-3-0-21.
Power Play Opportunities-Red Deer 1 / 3; Saskatoon 3 / 4.
Goalies-Red Deer, Maric 0-0-0-0 (6 shots-3 saves); Wutzke 1-0-0-0 (15 shots-12 saves). Saskatoon, Elliott 1-0-0-0 (29 shots-24 saves); Maier 13-11-1-1 (13 shots-12 saves).
A-2,741
Referees-Adam Forbes (62), Tarrington Wyonzek (137).
Linesmen-Andrew Sawatsky (123), Devan Thiessen (94).