Published: Sunday, 15 November 2020 17:00 Written by David Zammi

For the second time in as many days, the Regina Rebels were able to eke past the Swift Current Innovation Credit Union Wildcats, this time in double overtime.

Rebels forward Greta Henderson scored the overtime winner, her second of the game, helping Regina securing a 3-2 win over Swift Current this afternoon.

Janelle Evans was the other Rebels goal scorer, she also added an assist too. While goalie Payton Schlamp made 32 saves in net picking up her second win of the weekend.

Swift Current received goals from Paris Appel and Ava Metzger. And Wildcats goaltender Amaya Giraudier was busy in net making 34 saves.

“I think that’s more the style Terry wants us to play, we competed hard,” Metzger said. “I think that was the closest to a full 60 minutes we’ve played all year and it showed off.”

In the first period, the two teams exchanged goals, with Henderson opening the scoring with just over 2 minutes remaining in the period putting the Rebels ahead 1-0. The Wildcats answered right back before the end of the period with 23 seconds remaining Appel jumped on a rebound left by Schlamp and netted her first goal of the year tying the game at 1-1.

There was no scoring in the second period, however, Giraudier made a potential save of the year on Rebels forward Allee Gerrard.

“Amaya played very well today,” Metzger said. “She had a couple deadly save and robbed a couple of girls.”

Evans put the Rebels up 2-1 with about 9 minutes left in the 3rd period as she converted on a 2-on-1 beating Giraudier high glove. Less than two minutes later, the Wildcats evened the game back up as Samantha Thompson centred the puck for Metzger who made no mistake and beat Schlamp through the five-hole to tie the game at 2-2.

“Sam and I went down on a 2-on-2,” Metzger explained. “Sam got down low and set me up in the slot and just a quick release and hit the back of the net.”

Both teams had plenty of chances in the first overtime frame. It wasn’t until the second overtime (3-on-3) when Henderson’s goal decided the game’s fate.

The special teams battle was fairly even as both teams had six powerplay opportunities with the Wildcats going 1-for-6 and Regina going 0-for-6.

Swift Current’s back in action on Saturday when they welcome the 2-0 Norte Dame Hounds to the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.

“We need to practice hard all week,” Metzger said is the key to preparing for their pair of games against the Hounds next weekend. “We had a good week of practices this week and I know we didn’t win but I think those were the best two games we’ve played this season and that was followed up by three good practices.”

Puck drop for Saturday’s game is 3:45 p.m.