(Image Credit: rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Ian Gustafson

Close tilt

Saskatoon Blades take late lead in win over Rebels

Mar 4, 2026 | 9:08 PM

The Red Deer Rebels pushed until the end, but fell 3-2 to the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday night at the SaskTel Centre.

For most of the game, it was a good old-fashioned battle of the goaltenders as Blades Evan Gardner made 33 saves on 35 shots and Rebels Matthew Kondro made 33 saves on 36 shots.

The Rebels scored the opening goal 1:55 into the game off a shot from Cameron Kuzma. His power play marker was redirected off a defender in front of the net and in. Defencemen Jiri Kamas and Nate Yellowaga earned assists on the play.

Making it count on the powerplay!#RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/oLDfSL3any

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 5, 2026

In the second period, the Blades got on the board over eight and a half minutes in, scored by Rowan Calvert. His 27th goal of the 2025-26 campaign came following consistent pressure from Saskatoon in pursuit of the equalizer.

march 10 meeting

City council to finalize 2026 operating budget and three-year plan

3h ago

$2.7 Million

Red Deer building permit values decline in February

3h ago

chevron on vista trail

Blackfalds RCMP investigating armed robbery on March 6

3h ago

Then, with under five minutes to go before the end of the frame, forward Elias Pul gave the Blades their first lead of the game.

In the third, Rebels forward Poul Andersen tied the game at two with a fantastic wrist shot from the right circle. Rebels forwards Cole Temple and Beckett Hamilton earned the assists.

Poul Andersen tying everything up!🪢@Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/tN6qIeDgyA

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 5, 2026

The Blades, however, retook the lead late in the third and didn’t give it up following a power play goal from David Lewadowski.

Despite the result, the Rebels remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with eight games remaining.

Next up, they’ll head to Medicine Hat on Friday to take on the Tigers before returning home on Saturday to face the Prince Albert Raiders at the Centrium at 6 p.m.