Resilient Rebels light the lamp against rival Hitmen

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The Rebels didn’t let that faze them and went on to nearly hit double-digit goals.

Tuesday's council meeting

Red Deer city council to consider recomendations in electric utility transition to MCC

5h ago

townhouse developments

Red Deer building permits total $9.15 million in September

9h ago

gaining a better understanding

Red Deer conducts 2026 Point in Time Homeless Count

11h ago

Forward Patrick Sopiarz, who led the way with two goals, said at times they could have been better, but it was a good overall effort from the group.

“We keep showing that we’re going to be a really good team in this league and we’re just knocking off the top dogs one by one,” he said. “[I give] full credit to the guys in the room… Big thing with us is just our culture is so strong. This early in the season, I think that’s pretty special.”

The game very well could have gotten out of hand early for the Rebels, but they answered the bell when they needed it most.

Overall, the Rebels showed their depth with seven different goal scorers finding the back of the net. Defenceman Jiri Kamas had four points, forward Poul Andersen had three and defenceman Matus Lisy had three points.

“It says a lot to have that resilience, have that belief in each other to come back and take over the game, especially after two shorthanded goals that could be pretty draining,” Sopiarz said. “We’re a resilient group, we’re a strong group, and I think our culture perseveres there.”

The Rebels salvaged the near-disastrous opening frame with a goal on the power play from Sopiarz with 0.4 seconds remaining.

From behind the net, Lisy threw the puck out in front; Sopiarz jumped on it and picked the top corner, firing the puck just under the crossbar.

Everyone loves a buzzer-beater! Patrick Sopiarz scores with less than a second left in the first period to pull the Rebels within one. #RDREBELS | #WHL | @TheWHL https://t.co/qy6K5fm53y

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 10, 2026

Red Deer carried that momentum into the second period and tied the game at 1:20 in. Sopiarz and Lisy connected on another goal.

Sopiarz notched his second of the game with a one-timer from the left circle thanks to a nifty cross-ice feed from Lisy.

A pair for Patrick! Sopiarz wasted no time burying his second of the game to tie things up less than two minutes into the second period! #RDREBELS | #WHL https://t.co/NVvpt0sexs

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 10, 2026

Just a few minutes later, forward Grayden Peterson scored his first Western Hockey League goal, assisted by forward Poul Andersen, to give Red Deer their first lead.

Good things come to those who wait… What a moment for Grayden Peterson as he scores his first WHL goal! #RDREBELS | #WHL | @TheWHL https://t.co/gT2OEG439t

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 10, 2026

Calgary answered back to tie the game 3-3 near the midway point off the stick of Carter Sanderson, who redirected a shot past the goaltender.

Red Deer then took a 5-3 lead with back-to-back goals at 10:27 and 10:18, respectively.

Forward Owen Dewitt scored first with a rebound tally in front of the net; meanwhile, Lisy powered in a slap shot from just inside the blueline.

Go the net, and good things will happen. First of the season for Owen DeWitt! #RDREBELS | #WHL https://t.co/oe1xzAikag

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 10, 2026

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. An absolute rocket from Matus Lisy to put the Rebels up 5-3! #RDREBELS | #WHL | @TheWHL https://t.co/sfypAjq5Hd

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 10, 2026

In the third period, the Rebels continued to pull away with goals from a pair of defencemen, Jake Missura and Jiri Kamas.

Missura’s goal came 35 seconds into the period and was his first of the season. The 18-year-old scored just one goal all of last season.

Kamas’ tally was also his first of the season and gave Red Deer a 7-3 lead.

The blueliners are feeling it tonight! The Rebels go up 7-3 thanks to a nasty wrist shot from Jiri Kamas 👀 #RDREBELS | #WHL | @TheWHL https://t.co/oi2PNoPNP5

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 10, 2026

The Hitmen added two more before the end of the game, and so did Rebels forward Poul Andersen, who continues to lead the league in scoring with 17 points in eight games.

Rebels head coach Brent Kisio said his team didn’t play with the same energy level in the first period that they typically do, but liked his team’s response.

“It was a big goal at the end of the first to get us on the board and get a little life into our group. Kondro made some big saves for us,” Kisio said. “We battled; it doesn’t have to be pretty. It’s hard to win, so any way you can win is good.”

Kisio said they talked after the first period and the team knew their effort wasn’t good enough. That seemed to flip a switch.

“They came out and played hard.”

Not only did the Rebels pile on the goals, but they also led the way in shots, 33-27 and goaltender Matthew Kondro made 22 saves.

With the win, the Rebels remain at the top of the Central Division standings with a 5-2-0-1 record.

Next up, they’ll host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Monday at the Centrium.

You can listen to all Rebels games live on 106.7 Rewind Radio.