By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

Rebels drop season opener in Edmonton

Sep 21, 2018 | 9:59 PM

The Red Deer Rebels opened their 2018-19 WHL Regular Season with a 4-2 road loss Friday night at the hands of the Edmonton Oil Kings.

After a goalless first period it was the Oil Kings who charged out to a 2-0 lead in period two on goals from Brett Kemp at the 5:05 mark and Conner McDonald at 8:11.

The Rebels replied with two goals of their own courtesy of their Russian connection. First-year forwad Oleg Zaytsev scored his first WHL goal, on a pretty 2-on-1 set up by Red Deer native Josh Tarzwell, at the 13:34 mark.

Just 58 seconds later at 14:32, Alexander Alexeyev snapped one home from the top of the circle to make it a 2-2 game through 40 minutes.

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Vince Loschiavo, a key veteran addition for the Oil Kings this season, put Edmonton ahead 3-2 6:56 into the final frame then added an empty net goal at 19:19 to seal the deal.

Ethan Anders was superb in goal for the Rebels as he made 39 saves on the night. Boston Bilous turned aside 20 shots for the Oil Kings.

Edmonton was 2/5 on the power play while the Rebels came up empty at 0/2.

The Rebels and Oil Kings meet again Saturday night back at the Enmax Centrium in Red Deer. Game time is 7 p.m. and can be heard on 106.7 THE DRIVE.