(Image Credit: rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Ian Gustafson

0-2 in B.C.

Late rally can’t lift Rebels over Kelowna Rockets

Jan 27, 2026 | 10:51 PM

The Red Deer Rebels lost their third straight game on Tuesday night in a 5-3 setback to the Kelowna Rockets.

In front of 4,538 fans at Prospera Place in Kelowna, the Rockets handed the Rebels their second loss of the club’s six-game road trip through B.C.

The Rebels tied the game at one in the first period, followed by four consecutive goals from the Rockets to seal the deal. Red Deer pushed back in the third period with a pair of goals, but the deficit was too steep to overcome.

Both goalies were solid in net, including Red Deer’s Matthew Kondro, who made 23 saves on 28 shots and Kelowna’s Harrison Boettiger, who made 23 saves on 26 shots.

Special teams also appeared to play a role as the Rebels had just one power play goal in five attempts; meanwhile, the Rockets went two-for-three on the man advantage.

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In the first period, the Rockets opened the scoring less than 30 minutes into the game with a snipe from Hiroki Gojsic from the slot.

Red Deer answered just under seven minutes later off the stick of forward Patrick Sopiarz, who notched his third tally of the season and his first as a Rebel. Sopiarz fired a shot past the goalie from the right circle, assisted by Kalder Varga and Beckett Hamilton.

First as a Rebel is a 🎯! pic.twitter.com/lwn7UE8UFv

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 28, 2026

However, with under a minute left in the first period, the Rockets restored their lead with a shorthanded goal from Vojtech Cihar. His goal came off a turnover, which led to a two-on-one opportunity. A Rebels defender nearly prevented the goal after lying down to block the passing lane, but Mazden Leslie got the puck, and Cihar finished the job.

In the second period, the Rockets took a 5-1 commanding lead after three straight goals, two of which came on the power play.

The first from Hayden Paupanekis on the man advantage, followed by another power play goal 34 seconds later from Tij Iginla. Forward Eli Barrett rounded out the scoring for the Rockets before the end of the middle frame.

In the third period, the Rebels returned to the scoresheet with a highlight-reel goal from defenceman Nate Yellowaga.

With under six minutes to go, Yellowaga went end-to-end, darting through multiple defenders before beating the netminder.

Carving through the D! pic.twitter.com/oGvL2LPGJ0

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 28, 2026

Red Deer added another from Sopiarz, less than three minutes later, who knocked in the rebound from the left side of the net after a shot from Matus Lisy.

We need some toast with that jam! pic.twitter.com/EjPNYbb9MK

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 28, 2026

Down 5-3, the Rebels pulled their goalie late in an effort to buy a couple of goals, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Next up, the Rebels will head to Kamloops tomorrow (Wednesday) to take on the Blazers at 8 p.m. Mountain time before taking on the Victoria Royals on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. and the Vancouver Giants on Sunday at 5 p.m.