Almost 9 months after being dealt a first round playoff sweep at the hands the Blades, the Red Deer Rebels are still having trouble figuring out Saskatoon’s Steven Stanford.

The 20 year old goalie, who held Red Deer to just three goals in four playoff games last season, was at his best once again, kicking out 40 Rebels’ shots in a 2-1 win over the home team Friday night.

Both teams showed some jam in the first half of the opening period, but it was the Blades who got on the board first, getting an unassisted goal from blueliner Dalton Thrower at 12:08 to take a 1-0 lead.

Just 1:45 into the second period, Red Deer got back on even terms, with John Persson scoring his fourth of the year to make it a 1-1 game.

But Saskatoon took the lead back at 8:55 of the second period when Marek Viedensky tallied his sixth goal of the year to give the Blades a 2-1 lead.

Red Deer dominated on the shot clock, firing 41 shots at Stanford, while the Blades mustering just 23 shots on net.

With the win, the Blades improve to 7-1, while the Rebels drop to 7-3.

Red Deer is back in action Saturday night, at home to Prince Albert.

Puck drop is set for 730pm.