From The Game Recap Article - Rebels 5 Hitmen 1 - http://reddeerrebels.com/article/hagel-spacek-hot-as-rebels-clinch-third-place-in-central-division
Brandon Hagel fired two goals and added two assists as the Red Deer Rebels posted a convincing 5-1 WHL win over the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday.
With the victory - their fourth in a row - the Rebels clinched third place in the Central Division and earned a first-round playoff engagement with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
“It was a huge game, we obviously wanted to get third spot and play Lethbridge,” said
Brandon Hagel, named first star of the contest.
“It was a huge win for us tonight, our team responded very well.”
Hagel’s four-point performance was his second in as many nights, following his two-goal, two-assist outing in Tuesday’s 8-3 triumph over the Medicine Hat Tigers.
“I think I’m just keeping the game simple,”
he said of his recent play which has produced eleven points in three games.
“I’m not trying to do too much one-on-one stuff like I was before. Just keeping it simple has got me to where I am.”
Hagel and Michael Spacek (two assists) were a productive duo earlier in the season, but were eventually separated and just recently placed back on the same line.
“Our chemistry was good at the start and then we went on a little slump. Now we’re back together and it’s good timing, I’d say.”
Hagel said.
Goal #1 -
Hagel notching a power-play goal 12:51 into the contest by tipping a point shot by Jared Freadrich past Hitmen netminder Cody Porter.
Goal #2 -
Hagel made it 2-0 with another man-advantage tally at 2:48 of the second period, burying a perfect feed from Michael Spacek while alone in front of the Calgary net.
Assist #1 - Michael Spacek connected nine minutes later directly off an offensive-zone faceoff.
Hagel drew the puck back to his linemate and Spacek buried a quick wrist shot.
Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter - In probably the last two weeks
Hages has taken his game to a different notch which has really helped.
“He’s more at the level that I’d like to see him play at. With his battle level, intensity and emotion, he’s playing more consistent.
He’s staying within that and he’s being rewarded.
Hages has had a year where there’s been some ups and downs, some bumps and bruises.
Hages had to play through some things and the last two weeks it’s the best hockey he’s played, which is encouraging.”