(Image Credit: Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Ian Gustafson

Game 2 on Saturday

Rebels drop Game 1 against Raiders

Mar 27, 2026 | 10:03 PM

The Red Deer Rebels made it close but it wasn’t enough to take down the Prince Albert Raiders on the road.

In front of over 3,000 fans at the Art Hauser Centre, the Raiders beat the Rebels 4-1 to take Game 1 of the best-of-seven series in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

The Raiders outshot the Rebels 39-22 with both teams each scoring a power play goal. Rebels netminder Matthew Kondro stopped 35 of 39 shots; meantime Raiders goalie Michal Orsulak made 22 saves.

The Raiders notched the opening goal of the evening with 5:17 to go in the first period off the stick of forward Braeden Cootes.

His power play marker was made possible by an assist from forward Brock Cripps following a penalty by Owen DeWitt.

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In the second period, the Raiders extended their lead just over two minutes in, when Lacombe resident Daxon Rudolph scored from the left side after skating behind the net.

The Rebels finally got on the board with 12:25 left to go in the third period while on the man advantage.

Forward Poul Andersen scored the power play goal after his shot redirected off a few bodies in front and in.

Poul Andersen lights it up on the powerplay! 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/kW8bChCmD1

— X-Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 28, 2026

However, the surge of momentum for the Rebels was short lived as Cootes scored his second of the game to give the Raiders a 3-1 lead midway through the period.

The Raiders then added one more with 3:14 remaining thanks to a perfect wrist shot by Cripps from the right circle.

Next up, Game 2 is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. in Prince Albert where the Rebels will look to tie the series.

After that, Games 3 and 4 will be played in Red Deer on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Centrium.