And on the seventh day they rested.

The Red Deer Rebels stayed away from the Centrium Sunday after arriving home in the wee hours of the morning following a highly successful Western Hockey League road trip.

"They got the day off today and Dallas (assistant coach Gaume) is going to run them through a few drills tomorrow," Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter said Sunday night.

The break was well-deserved, considering the Rebels skated miles in posting wins at Prince George and Kamloops and gaining a tie in Kelowna.

The Rebels were the dominant team in all three games.

After posting a 7-0 win over the Prince George Cougars Wednesday, Red Deer faced hot goaltenders in Friday's 2-2 draw with the Rockets and Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Blazers.

"We had over 40 shots in each of the last two games. The opposition goaltender was the first star both nights," said Sutter, referring to Kelowna stopper Kevin Swanson and Kamloops goalie Davis Parley.

"We missed a lot of opportunities and the kids were getting a little frustrated. But we told them to just stick with it and we scored some gritty goals."

Meanwhile, strong defensive play made life relatively easy for Red Deer goaltenders Michael Garnett and Shane Bendera.

Four goals against in three road games is mighty impressive.

"Our goaltenders weren't real busy, but they were solid," said Sutter.

"They made the saves when we needed them."

The Rebels return to action Friday when the Medicine Hat Tigers visit the Centrium for the first time this season.

The game will kick off off a busy weekend, with Red Deer hosting Kelowna Saturday and taking on the Hurricanes the following night in Lethbridge.

Forward Shay Stephenson is expected to make his regular-season debut Friday.

The 17-year-old broke his hand in a preseason game in mid-September.

"He'll practice all week. I want to make sure he's in good shape before he plays," said Sutter.

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Kyle Wanvig potted the overtime winner Saturday, scoring just 34 seconds into the extra frame.
Joel Stepp forced overtime with a late third-period marker.
Colby Armstrong also tallied for the Rebels, while the Blazers got power-play goals from Scott Upshall and Gable Gross.
Bendera made 30 saves for Red Deer while Parley stopped 40 shots.