(Image Credit: Red Deer Rebels/Taylor Lachance)

By Ian Gustafson

Back in the series

Rebels victorious in Game 4 to avoid sweep

Apr 1, 2026 | 10:21 PM

With their backs against the wall, the Red Deer Rebels responded in a big way.

On Wednesday night, in front of their home crowd, the Rebels beat the Prince Albert Raiders 4-3 to win Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Despite getting outshot 38-13, the Rebels found a way to win to extend the best-of-seven series. The Raiders lead the series three games to one.

Rebels head coach Marc Habscheid said he didn’t like his team’s first period but felt they began to improve in the second frame.

“We got to the third, and we talked in between periods about adversity and overcoming it,” he said. “We’re missing some guys against a good team, and the shots were up there. Our guys really dug in in the third, and I’m really proud of them. It’s a good group, and I’m proud to be coaching them to be resilient the way they are under some really difficult circumstances.”

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

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

20h ago

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

Apr 02, 2026

Goaltender Matthew Kondro stood on his head and made 35 saves on 38 shots; meanwhile, Raiders netminder Michal Orsulak made nine saves on 13 shots.

As a result, the Rebels will head back to Prince Albert for Game 5 on Friday at 7 p.m. If the Rebels win, they’ll return to the Centrium for Game 6 on Sunday.

“You have to get a good goaltending performance, and he did that for us. I thought our penalty killing was good. They killed a pile, especially in the second period… Our kids have learned how to win,” Habscheid added. “It’s difficult, but you can see after the game tonight, they know it’s worth it to have that feeling after putting in an honest day’s work.”

The Raiders jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first eight minutes of the game.

The first came four and a half minutes in off the stick of Brandon Gorzynski, followed by a power play marker from defenceman Daxon Rudolph.

However, with less than a minute remaining in the opening period, defenceman Cameron Dillard got the Rebels on the board with a point shot that redirected off a player in front and in.

Dillard files it top shelf! 🗃️#RDREBELS #WHLPlayoffs #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/WZaZyrom4y

— X-Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) April 2, 2026

In the second period, Dillard scored his second of the game to tie it at two nearly three minutes in on another shot from near the blue line.

Wind him up and let him go! Dillard for two! #RDRebels #WHLPlayoffs #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/CGJ16eEFez

— X-Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) April 2, 2026

Raiders forward Connor Howe gave his team the lead once again midway through the frame before Rebels forward Beckett Hamilton found the equalizer later in the period.

Hamilton clocks in in Game 4. #RDREBELS #WHLPlayoffs #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/B4Vjbo8eCf

— X-Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) April 2, 2026

In the third, the Rebels took their first lead of the game with a power play goal 1:24 into the period.

Forward Kalder Varga fired a shot from the slot that beat the goaltender up high off the feed from Hamilton.

Varga cashes in! 💰🫰#RDREBELS #WHLPlayoffs #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/PYvNnJVK5a

— X-Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) April 2, 2026

The Raiders pulled their goalie with just a few minutes remaining, but the Rebels played a strong defensive game to hold on for the victory.

After the game, Rebels forward Kalder Varga said they’ve regained the momentum and are ready to head back into enemy territory.

“[P.A. is] a high-pressure environment, but they’re feeling the pressure right now, and they wanted to close it out today,” Varga said. “I think we’ve got momentum and we are going to go and try to win.”

Rebels injury notes: The Rebels were without two key players, forward Matej Mikes and forward Poul Andersen, out with injuries. It’s unclear whether they’ll be back for Game 5.