Evan Polei went from the doghouse to the penthouse in less than 24 hours.
The big winger drew the ire of head coach Brent Sutter after taking an ill-advised penalty late in Game 2.
But Polei more than redeemed himself after sniping a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 1:44 left in regulation time, as the Red Deer Rebels trimmed the Calgary Hitmen 4-3 at the Dome on Sunday.
Jake DeBrusk also scored twice and set up Polei’s late dagger as the Rebels took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final.
“That was tough because they were getting a penalty late in the game,” Polei said of his power-play cancelling indiscretion in Game 2.