(Andy Devil/Edmonton Oil Kings)

By Ian Gustafson

New years day

Oil Kings hand Rebels ninth consecutive loss

Jan 1, 2026 | 4:50 PM

The Red Deer Rebels began the new year with a 5-1 loss on the road to the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Thursday’s setback marked their ninth straight loss for the club, who continue to be without defenceman Matus Lisy and forward Samuel Drancak. The two European’s remain away at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in the United States.

The Rebels were also without Matthew Gard, Grayden Peterson, Matej Mikes, and Aleksey Chichkin. However, on a positive note, Red Deer’s Kohen Lodge returned to the ice after missing an extended period of time with an upper-body injury. Red Deer also brought in defenceman Noah Chadi from the AJHL’s Grande Prairie Storm on a tryout basis.

The Oil Kings scored twice in the opening period, including Austin Zemlak’s first of the season, two minutes and 20 seconds into the game. The other came from off the stick of Gavin Hodnett with just over six minutes remaining.

In the second period, Zemlak scored his second of the game on the power play for the Oil Kings, five minutes and 30 seconds into the frame.

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Edmonton then scored two more later in the second from Landon Hanson and Cage Smith to take a commanding 5-0 lead.

The Rebels scored the lone goal of the third period when forward Owen Shadrick knocked in the rebound from the right side of the net.

Next up, the Rebels will host the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m. before heading on a three-game road trip through Manitoba and Saskatchewan next week.