(Image Credit: Taylor Lachance/Red Deer Rebels)

By Ian Gustafson

2-1

Rebels grab important two points in OT victory over Regina Pats

Jan 20, 2026 | 10:37 PM

The Red Deer Rebels knew Tuesday’s matchup against the Regina Pats was an important game.

And they came away with a vital two points in a 2-1 victory in overtime at the Centrium.

Coming into the matchup, the Rebels were just one point ahead of their opponents, but with the win, they are now two points ahead for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 26 games remaining.

An impressive power play goal from Rebels forward Kalder Varga in overtime earned them the victory.

He said postgame it was his first WHL OT winner.

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“It felt good,” he said. “I’ve never had one before, and it felt really good to get those big points for us… It was a playoff-type atmosphere. [We’re] fighting for points and we had to show what we’re capable of in those types of environments. Luckily, we closed that out.”

Varga with tonight's heroics! #RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/TQFynQ53lr

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 21, 2026

Meantime, head coach Marc Habscheid said it was a big game and felt his team took too many penalties.

In total, the Rebels awarded Regina with eight power plays while also having seven of their own opportunities.

“This was a big game,” Habscheid said. “There’s basically three teams fighting for two playoff positions… We were disappointed we gave away a point, but we got the win.”

After a scoreless first period, the Pats scored on the power play with 6:24 left, which marked their sixth power play of the evening. Forward Caden Brown fired in the loose puck from the front of the net, which squeaked under the pad of goaltender Matthew Kondro

The Rebels found the equalizer nearly a minute later off the stick of forward Beckett Hamilton. Forward Kalder Varga stole the puck from a defender near the side of the net before feeding Hamilton in the slot.

The tally was Hamilton’s 16th of the season.

Varga wins the battle, Hamilton lights the 🚨! #RDREBELS #WHL @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/o0ZSxEGrLg

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 21, 2026

Both teams were held scoreless in the third period, so extra time was needed, and the Rebels came out on top.

Both netminders were fantastic in the net, including Regina’s Marek Schlenker, who made 44 saves, and Red Deer’s Matthew Kondro, who made 29 saves.

Next up, the Rebels will welcome the Calgary Hitmen to town on Friday at 7 p.m. before heading on a six-game road trip through B.C.