(Red Deer Rebels/Taylor Lachance)

By Ian Gustafson

Nail biter

Rebels fall in home opener despite third period push

Sep 19, 2025 | 10:38 PM

The Red Deer Rebels looked like they were down and out but a late-game push made for an exciting and nerve-wracking end to the home opener at the Centrium on Friday night.

Down 4-0 nearly midway through the third period, the Rebels scored two goals in front of 4,073 fans to make it a game, but ultimately fell 4-2 to the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.

The Rebels scored their first goal with 12:33 to go in the game off a blast from the blue line by defenceman Keith McInnis on the powerplay. It was the Red Deer native’s first Western Hockey League goal.

Nearly two minutes later, rookie forward Noah Milford scored on a wrap around attempt to bring Red Deer within two.

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The Rebels were awarded a powerplay not long after but were unable to convert. They also pulled the goalie with over two-and-half minutes left as a last ditch effort but to no avail.

Talking with local media after the game McInnis said his first WHL in his hometown was special.

“We needed something to get going and I’m lucky that went in for us. It was nice to do it in front of the friends and family. Hopefully, there’s many more to come,” he said.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been able to play in front of my friends and family and Red Deerians themselves. It’s awesome, it’s an honour.”

McInnis said they had a couple players speak up in between periods, which he said helped. They’ll have a quick turnaround and will head to Edmonton on Saturday for a 4 p.m. rematch at Rogers Place.

“We’ll go there tomorrow and hopefully steal their home opener too,” McInnis added.

The Oil Kings got on the board first nearly a minute and a half into the opening period when Luke Powell scored shortly after they won the face off in Red Deer’s end.

Edmonton extended their lead over five minutes later on the powerplay when rookie forward Dylan Dean scored in front off a pass from behind the net.

Three minutes into the second period, the Oil Kings made it 3-0 with Powell’s second of the game. The left winger skated into the slot and fired one past the goaltender.

Edmonton’s Presley Kerner added the Oil King’s fourth of the game late in the second period, which appeared to put an end to the game. However, the Rebels didn’t give up.

Rebels goaltender Peyton Shore finished the game with 22 saves on 26 shots and Edmonton netminder Ethan Simcoe made 16 saves.

When asked if he liked how his team responded late in the game, head coach March Habscheid said he did but felt the Rebels were disjointed the first two periods.

“I just didn’t think we were together, you know the last two games of the preseason we played together… There’s a lot of little things that we could of done better but I think we showed good in the third. It wasn’t a win but at least we got our feet under us,” Habscheid said.

“You could see some nerves but we had guys extending shifts a minute and a half and then they’d come off and then the other guy would miss a shift… The first game is always interesting, especially for a lot of our players it’s their first games. Sometimes they try too hard or they’re trying to do things they’re not used to and then mistakes happen… I think with the group it was a learning experience.”