(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

Fighting hard

Rebels lose 7-4 in back-to-back losses against Winnipeg ICE

Nov 9, 2022 | 10:21 PM

The Red Deer Rebels fought hard in a rematch against the Winnipeg ICE Wednesday night but missed the mark 7-4 at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

It is the Rebel’s’ second loss in a row following a 15 game winning streak to start the season.

In the first period, Winnipeg’s Conor Geekie scored his 10th goal of the season just 2:12 into the game on Rebels netminder Rhett Stoesser. Assisted by Connor McClennon and Graham Sward, the home team went up 1-0.

Shortly after, Red Deer’s Frantisek Formanek was sent to the box for hooking. With the man advantage, the ICE’s Skyler Bruce scored his fourth goal of the WHL season at 3:58, assisted by Matthew Savoie and Owen Pedersen. The power play goal put the ICE in a 2-0 lead.

Over the halfway point at 12:23, Winnipeg’s Skyler Bruce scored once again, now his fifth goal of the season. With the help of Graham Sward and Vladislav Shilo, their lead was pushed to 3-0.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

Apr 04, 2026

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

At 15:41, the ICE’s Owen Pederson scored his eighth goal of the season, assisted by Ty Nash and Ben Zloty, extending Winnipeg’s lead to 4-0.

However, at 17:10, the Rebels earned their spot on the scoreboard when Arjun Bawa bounced the puck off the wall and passed it to Frantisek Formanek. Catching the pass with his skate, he tapped it into the net from the crease, scoring his fourth goal of the season on goaltender Daniel Hauser. The score was now 4-1 for the ICE.

After 20 minutes, the ICE also outshot the Rebels 10-8.

In the middle frame, the Rebels cut their deficit in half when Carson Birnie passed the puck to Jace Isley. Keeping the ICE’s defender behind his shoulder, Isley scored a goal from the crease at 5:52. It was his 10^th goal this season and cut the Winnipeg lead to 4-2.

The game was shaken when Red Deer’s Frantisek Formanek was given a double minor penalty for slew-footing. On the power play, the ICE’s Connor McClennon scored his 12^th goal of the season at 15:22, assisted by Skyler Bruce and Owen Pederson. The power play goal pushed the ICE lead to 5-2.

But with less than 45 seconds left in the period, Red Deer’s Jace Isley picked up a free puck and passed it to Carson Birnie who shot from the face-off point and scored his third goal of the season, cutting the Rebels deficit once again to 5-3.

By the end of the second period, Winnipeg outshot the Rebels 13-5 and 23-13 after 40 minutes.

In the final period, Red Deer’s Carson Birnie picked up the puck and passed it to Jayden Grubbe who took a shot but saw it rebound off goalie Daniel Hauser’s kneepad. The puck, now left open in the crease, saw Jace Isley capitalize on the opportunity and score his 11^th goal of the season and second of the game at the 1:17 mark. The ICE now led by only one goal, 5-4.

However, a few minutes later, the Rebels’ Quentin Bourne was sent to the box for roughing, giving Winnipeg the man advantage. Owen Pederson then scored his ninth goal of the season and second of the game on the power play at 5:13. Assisted by Connor McClennon, the goal increased the ICE’s lead to 6-4.

Red Deer’s Matteo Fabrizi would then receive two minutes for holding, allowing the ICE to once again capitalize on their power play opportunity at 10:55, with Connor McClennon scoring his 13^th of the season and second of the game. With the help of Ben Zloty and Owen Pederson, Winnipeg’s lead was now 7-4.

The ICE outshot the Rebels 8-6 in the third period and overall (31-19).

The home team went 4/5 on power play while Red Deer went 0/2.

All three stars of the game went to Winnipeg with Connor McClennon receiving the third star for his two goals and two assists on the night. Skyler Bruce, who had three points with two goals and one assist, earned the second star, while Owen Pederson who had five points on the evening, including two goals and three assists, received the game’s first star.

The Rebels will play their next road game, six of nine, against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday at 1:30 MT at Westoba Place with the broadcast live on 106.7 REWIND Radio.