(Image Credit: Taylor Lachance/Red Deer Rebels)

By Ian Gustafson

5-3 setback

Rebels come up short against Americans in Brigley’s record-setting game

Jan 16, 2026 | 10:23 PM

The Red Deer Rebels were firing on all cylinders but came up short in a 5-3 contest against the Tri-City Americans on Friday.

Down by a goal late in the game, the Rebels pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort but couldn’t find the equalizer, despite outshooting their opponents 45-32.

Head coach Marc Habscheid said his team deserved a better result.

“I thought we outshot them pretty bad, and their goaltender, I don’t know if he was first star, but he probably should’ve been. We had some really good chances… but he’s a good goaltender in the league. Our guy played well, too,” Habscheid said.

Americans netminder Xavier Wendt made 42 saves; meanwhile, Rebels Peyton Shore made 27 saves on 31 shots.

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“This was our first game at home with the new roster, and I think everyone can see we play a little bit differently,” Habscheid added. “We’re quicker, have a little bit more depth, and faster. We liked the way we played, so outside of the loss, there’s not too much to be upset about.”

Friday night’s matchup with the Americans was important not only in terms of the standings but also because captain Talon Brigley became the club’s all-time leader in regular-season games played with 302.

He was presented with an award at centre ice before the game by Rebels owner Brent Sutter alongside Brigley’s father and mother.

Brigley said after the game that it was a special experience.

“Seeing my parents on the ice with Brent was pretty cool. I didn’t know he was doing that, so it was really special to me. I’ve got a lot of people here tonight supporting me, so I’m really excited to go see them. It’s just awesome to have all of that support. I couldn’t ask for better family members, friends, teammates, and coaches to support me through it as well,” he said.

Habscheid added that Brigley means everything to this team.

“He’s our captain, he’s a very good player and an even better citizen and person. We’ve got the youngest team in the league right now, and we need a shepherd. There’s no better shepherd than Brigley.”

The Americans opened the scoring just over six minutes into the game off the stick of Connor Dale, who beat the goaltender on the offensive rush.

The Rebels answered with 12:27 to go in the opening frame, when defenceman Matus Lisy fired in a big rebound that came out to the hashmarks after a shot from Matej Mikes.

No quit. #Brigs302 #RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/V8KblCW8Fi

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 17, 2026

In the second period, Tri-City applied the pressure in the offensive end and retook the lead with a goal from Grady Martin in front of the net.

Nearly a minute and a half later, the Americans took a 3-1 lead following a shorthanded marker from Gavin Garland, who scored on the offensive rush.

With 8:07 left in the middle frame, the Rebels reclaimed the momentum with a tally from 20-year-old forward Tyson Yaremko on the power play for his first goal as a member of the Rebels. He knocked in the rebound from the right side of the net, assisted by Matej Mikes.

Yaremko's time has arrived!#Brigs302 #RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/m9QV7PbQXt

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 17, 2026

The Rebels tied the game with an early third-period goal from Beckett Hamilton, who grabbed the puck off the feed from behind the net and tucked it in.

Mr. Clutch. #Brigs302 #RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/rjbjoS8B4c

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 17, 2026

The Americans capitalized on a Rebels penalty with 7:28 remaining. While on a four-on-three power play, forward Cruz Pavao fired a shot past the goaltender.

Tri-City put the final nail in the coffin when the Rebels pulled the goalie with under two minutes left. Pavao forced a turnover and scored on the breakaway to seal the deal on a 5-3 victory.

Next up, the Rebels will face the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday night at the Centrium at 6 p.m.