Resilient Rebels come from behind again to beat Raiders

“They’re a good team but we’ve been playing well recently. It was a tough stretch with four games in five nights,” he said, adding it all started with the win in P.A.

They then lost to Saskatoon on Wednesday and Medicine Hat on Friday. Despite that, he liked the way his team bounced back.

“We’re really proud of the guys, but they’re learning. They’re a young group and to stay resilient and keep playing the right way no matter what the conditions are, and they did that,” Habscheid said.

“We’ve been in playoff mode since 19 games left. That’s when we started this journey of ours, and it hardens you, but it’s difficult, it really is. We showed them a little video today about the guys when they win the Stanley Cup. They’re almost crying, they’re speechless, and they’re drained because it takes a lot out of you to win. That’s what makes it special is winning. Our guys are learning to win, and they’re doing the right things.”

In the first period, both teams were held scoreless but played with a ton of energy, especially after an entertaining fight between Rebels forward Patrick Sopiarz and Raiders captain Justice Christensen.

Christensen, who grew up in Red Deer, then found the back of the net in the second period on the power play. His 15th goal of the season came nearly eight minutes into the frame off the pass from Brayden Dube.

The Rebels third period comeback began with a tally on the power play from Beckett Hamilton with 7:14 to go. The Rebels’ leading scorer fired a shot from a sharp angle at the left side of the net that trickled past the goaltender.

Mr. Clutch does it again! #RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/zPr3JYFmal

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 8, 2026

And with under four minutes remaining, forward Owen DeWitt then tipped the puck past the goalie while standing in front of the net as Matej Mikes fired a shot through traffic to take the lead.

DeWitt makes it count! #RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/pTNHsggfc3

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 8, 2026

Mikes then scored the empty net goal in the final minute to seal the deal.

Speaking after the game, Hamilton said it felt great to beat the Raiders again, especially in Red Deer.

“They’re a good team, but we pushed back and played our game. We played a hard, physical game and stuck with it throughout the whole. You saw that they got worn down, but we kept going, and that’s what I think got us the win,” Hamilton said.

The Raiders remain tied with the Medicine Hat Tigers for first place in the conference.

The Rebels, however, are just one point ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors for the final playoff spot. Saturday’s victory was valuable as the Warriors also won against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Red Deer also trails the Regina Pats by just three points for seventh place.

A lot could change between now and the end of the regular season, but the Rebels facing the Raiders in the opening round of the WHL playoffs remains a strong possibility.

It’s also a matchup that would be welcomed by Hamilton.

“I think that would be a good series,” he said. I think we win that. I think we do well against these guys, and if we do what we do these last couple of nights, I think we’ll wind up just fine.”

Next up, the Rebels will welcome the Wenatchee Wild to town on Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. before facing the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday and the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday in Red Deer.

by Ian Gustafson

Resilient Rebels come from behind again to beat Raiders

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