Rebels defeat Blazers in statement win to move into first place

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“That’s kind of been the story for most of the year. There was a lot of adversity in the second, but we just stuck with it. We play a hard-fast game, and our whole lineup was going… It was just a great team effort overall, I think,” he added.

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“It was definitely a good test. They play quick, they transition fast, and definitely challenged us to work hard… We’ve shown time and time again we can stick with the top teams. I think that’s what the fans get excited for. We’re going to play that fast, hard brand of hockey. Any adversity, we’re willing to step up.”

As a result, the Rebels are now in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with an 11-4-1-1 record. Meanwhile, the Blazers are third in the Western Conference with a 9-4-2-0 record.

Rebels head coach Brent Kisio said it was a hard-fought game.

“Kamloops is a hard team to play against. They’re well structured and have got a lot of speed up front. I thought early on they pushed us a little bit, but once we got our feet going, the second half of the first period we really started to establish our game,” he said. “The second and third periods were just a hard fought game.”

The Blazers were the first to find the back of the net.

With 2:20 to go, Joaquin Geras fired a shot in from the blue line that redirected off a body and past the goalie on the power play.

A minute later, the Rebels found the equalizer with a breakaway goal from Poul Andersen.

The American beat the defender to the puck and created some space using his speed before scoring on his backhand.

Poul. Poul is always the guy to call!! #RDREBELS | #WHL

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) November 4, 2026

In the second period, Red Deer took their first lead of the game with 11:57 remaining.

Forward Cameron Kuzma attempted a lacrosse-style goal, but after the goalie stopped it with his shoulder, forward Jake Banicevic was there to knock in the rebound.

Kuzma puts it up, Banicevic puts it in! #RDREBELS | #WHL

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) November 4, 2026

However, the Blazers retook the lead with two quick goals late in the second period. Forwards River Arnason and Andrew Thomson scored within 20 seconds of each other to head into the intermission up one.

In the third period, the Rebels tied it once again with a goal from forward Cameron Kuzma. He was fed in front thanks to a perfect feed from Andersen, who was behind the net.

Kuzma cleans it up! 🧹 #RDREBELS | #WHL

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) November 4, 2026

Red Deer then took the lead with 1:32 remaining and kept it as Kalder Varga knocked in the rebound. Forward Patrick Sopiarz added an empty-net goal to seal the deal.

Kisio added that the team knew it was going to be a tough test coming in, and he liked the way they showed up.

“It’s always a test when you don’t see a team much through the season. This is the one time we’re going to see them; otherwise, it’s going to be in the finals, which would be a good thing,” he said. “They’re a good team, so we had to respond the right way, and I thought we did, especially in the second and third period.”

Next up, the Rebels will head to Lethbridge to face the Hurricanes on Friday before hosting the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday at 6 p.m.