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(Red Deer Rebels/Taylor Lachance)
Close battle

Rebels fall to Wheat Kings in final game before Christmas break

Dec 16, 2025 | 10:10 PM

The Red Deer Rebels were hoping for a Christmas miracle down by a goal late in the third period.

However, despite their best efforts, they were unable to find the equalizer in a 2-1 setback to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday evening for their fifth straight loss.

Head coach Marc Habscheid said it was a much-improved effort compared to Saturday’s 9-0 loss to the Calgary Hitmen.

“We thought the guys were much better connected, worked hard, competed, and just couldn’t bounce one in at the end there. It just didn’t want to go in, it was like there was a force field there or something,” he said. “I’m disappointed for the guys, the effort was good, but we’re here to win games, so it was disappointing.”

With just over 10 minutes left in the first period, the Wheat Kings opened the scoring with a power play goal from Joby Baumuller. The Rebels had just killed off the first penalty of a five-on-three power play, but the Wheat Kings’ leading scorer made sure his team wasn’t held scoreless. Baumuller beat the goalie through traffic off a one-timer, assisted by Luke Mistelbacher.

Red Deer answered with 2:02 to go in the opening frame. Rebels forward Ty Coupland gathered the puck as he entered the offensive zone with speed and fired a backhand shot that beat the goalie’s glove side.

Wheat Kings retook the lead late in the second period. With 1:09 to go, defenceman Nigel Boehm fired a shot that redirected off the skate of Wheat Kings forward Jimmy Egan and in to lead 2-1.

In the third period, the Rebels appeared to tie the game with 3:38 left to go, but the puck went under the pad of the goaltender, making it hard to tell if it fully crossed the line. After the officials reviewed the play, they called it a no-goal.

The Rebels pushed for the equalizer after pulling the goalie, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Habscheid said the officials made the right call, but were disappointed with a non-penalty call on an apparent high stick by the Wheat Kings on Rebels defenceman Nate Yellowaga late in the game.

“He’s a good referee, and he just missed it, but it’s unfortunate because that would have given us another man advantage… That’s the way it is sometimes,” he added.

The Rebels were held scoreless on four power play attempts and on the penalty kill held Brandon to just one power play marker on five opportunities.

Red Deer goaltender Matthew Kondro had a fantastic night between the pipes with 22 saves on 24 shots.

“Our goaltending was really good tonight. It was a good game for him, and he made some key saves early. We got our feet under us. After that last game, it was important to get our feet under us, and he provided that early on in the game,” Habscheid said.

The Rebels, who are currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings, are now off for the Christmas break until Saturday, Dec. 27, when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7 p.m. at the Centrium. They’ll then head to Medicine Hat on Dec. 28 to take on the Tigers.

Habscheid said he wants his players to get away from it all over the holidays.

“Less is more, and that’s the thing now, get away from it, take a break mentally and physically… Today is a hard game, and it’s a longer break, so especially early in the break, just get away from it, forget about it, and enjoy the break and time with family.”