(Image Credit: Erica Perreaux/Lethbridge Hurricanes)

By Ian Gustafson

Push for playoffs

Rebels take down Hurricanes to secure important victory

Mar 18, 2026 | 10:09 PM

The Red Deer Rebels defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-3 to pick up a massive two points in the Western Hockey League playoff race.

Beckett Hamilton and Poul Andersen each had three points; meanwhile, netminder Matthew Kondro made 30 saves on 33 shots.

The Rebels, who are now three points ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings, can clinch a postseason berth with a win against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at the Centrium.

They can also clinch if the Warriors lose to the Swift Current Broncos on Friday. Anything short of that will be decided on the final regular-season game or potentially in a play-in game if there’s a tie for the final spot.

After Friday’s game, the Rebels will head to Medicine Hat on Saturday for a rematch with the Tigers at Co-op Place for the final regular-season game.

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Meantime on Wednesday, the Hurricanes scored the opening goal less than two minutes into the first period off the stick of Tyden Lafournaise.

Red Deer then responded with four straight goals in the opening frame, beginning with the equalizer from Beckett Hamilton on the power play at the midway point.

Off the pass from Patrick Sopiarz, Hamilton was sent in alone and beat the goaltender on the backhand with a perfectly placed shot.

Stretch pass ➝ silky backhand ➝ bar down. 🫰🫰#RDREBELS #WHL pic.twitter.com/cLC7ltPpG3

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 19, 2026

Approximately 1:42 seconds later, forward Kalder Varga scored his 20th goal of the season on a one-timer from the left circle, assisted by Cole Temple.

Temple 🤝 Varga 🚨#RDREBELS #WHL https://t.co/mDpqjpcLna

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 19, 2026

With 5:13 left in the first, forward Poul Andersen knocked in the loose puck to take a 3-1 lead.

Cash it, Andersen!#RDREBELS @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/C1Ar4fvWgf

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 19, 2026

Just 29 seconds later, Sopiarz scored on the power play with a wrist shot from the right side.

Sopiarz lets it fly!#RDREBELS @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/nRtcjpMz47

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) March 19, 2026

However, before the end of the opening frame, the Hurricanes stopped the bleeding with a goal from Kayden Longley on the power play with under three minutes remaining.

In the second period, the Rebels were held to just two shots as the Hurricanes applied plenty of pressure. Despite that, both teams were held scoreless.

In the third period, the Hurricanes closed the gap and pulled within one of tying it just under three minutes in. Former Rebels defenceman Matteo Fabrizi scored on the rebound in front of the net.

The Hurricanes continued to push, but the Rebels’ defence stood tall to hold on for the 4-3 victory.