(Image Credit: Randy Feere/Medicine Hat Tigers)

By Ian Gustafson

8-4 decision

Tigers surge in third period to sink Rebels

Mar 6, 2026 | 9:59 PM

As the Red Deer Rebels enter the final stretch of the WHL regular season, they continue to hold on to the final playoff spot in a tight race, despite falling to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Their Central Division rivals scored four goals in the third period to beat the Rebels 8-4 in Co-op Place on Friday night.

As a result, Red Deer remains in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points, just one point ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors, who also lost. Just seven games are remaining.

The Tigers scored the lone goal of the opening period from forward Markus Ruck at the right side of the net less than six minutes in.

In the second period, both teams found their scoring touch and traded multiple goals.

Roll with the Punches Tour

Tickets now on sale for Bryan Adams tour stop in Red Deer

4h ago

march 10 meeting

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

9h ago

$2.7 Million

Red Deer building permit values decline in February

9h ago

It all started when Medicine Hat took a two-goal lead 6:07 into the frame, scored by Noah Davidson, followed by Red Deer’s first tally of the evening 33 seconds later from Kohen Lodge.

The Red Deer native tipped a shot past the Tigers’ goaltender after a point shot from defenceman Aleksey Chichkin.

Deflection magic in front of the net!🪄 🚨#RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/ZAljXlyTgM

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 7, 2026

The Tigers answered with 7:30 left in the second off the stick of Davidson for his second of the game.

However, Red Deer responded 40 seconds later with a breakaway tally from Poul Andersen.

Corner, picked. ✅#RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/hlwcNSEyeo

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 7, 2026

Tigers forward Andrew Basha gave the Tigers a 4-2 lead heading into the second intermission after scoring with under three minutes left in the middle frame. He sniped a shot past Shore after he was left open in the slot.

In the third period, the Rebels kicked things off 17 seconds in, thanks to a point shot from defenceman Jiri Kamas that went off the goaltender’s blocker and in.

Locked & loaded. #RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/wVqZFkNGuu

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 7, 2026

The Tigers then added four more goals to lead 8-3 from Veeti Vaisanen, Cam Parr, Bryce Pickford and Kade Stengrim.

Rebels added a late power play goal with 1:36 to go after forward Kalder Varga tipped a shot from Beckett Hamilton past the netminder.

Goaltender Peyton Shore started in net for the Rebels but was pulled in the third period after making 29 saves on 36 shots. Matthew Kondro then stepped in and stopped five of six shots.

Next up, the Rebels will face the top-seeded Prince Albert Raiders at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Centrium. They’ll then welcome the Wenatchee Wild to town on Tuesday.