Rebels claim overtime win over Pats

RED DEER – A circled match-up on the calendar lived up to the hype as the Red Deer Rebels edged the Regina Pats 2-1 in overtime on Tuesday night at the Marchant Crane Centrium, stretching their lead over the Pats in the WHL Eastern Conference standings.

Kalder Varga emerged as the overtime hero, finishing a slick powerplay sequence, while Beckett Hamilton got the Rebels rolling with a key goal earlier in the contest. Between the pipes, Matthew Kondro stood tall, delivering a steady and dependable performance to keep the game within reach.

With the overtime win, the Rebels earn a crucial point in the playoff race, improving their record to 16-22-2-2.

STATS STORY:

Kalder Varga (RD) – 1 goal, 1 assist

Beckett Hamilton (RD) – 1 goal, 1 assist

Matthew Kondro (RD) – 29 saves, win

Marek Schlenker (REG) – 44 saves

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After a scoreless opening frame, the game was cracked open in the second as Regina struck first on the powerplay, capitalizing on a scramble in front when Caden Brown’s shot found its way through traffic and past Matthew Kondro.

The Rebels wasted little time responding. Just over a minute later, Kalder Varga won the race to Jake Missura’s dump-in and spun a cross-slot feed to Beckett Hamilton, who made no mistake, snapping the puck into the top corner over Marek Schlenker to tie the game.

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

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

Chances went back and forth, both teams pushing hard, and the battle carried into overtime.

Late in the extra frame, Red Deer drew a power play and made it count. Tape-to-tape passes connected Hamilton to Nate Yellowaga, and finally to Varga, who fired a one-timer past Schlenker to seal the 2-1 Rebels victory.

OT WINNER. THANK YOU, KALDER VARGA.🔥@Rebelshockey | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/sM2DbKL7U5

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 21, 2026

Special teams were a grind as Red Deer went 1-for-7 on the powerplay, while Regina converted 1-of-8.

BRANDT THREE STARS:

Kalder Varga (RD)

Marek Schlenker (REG)

Matthew Kondro (RD)

WHAT THEY SAID:

Head Coach Marc Habscheid

Kalder Varga

NOTES:

Rebels scratches for the game were forwards Cole Temple (lower) and Grayden Peterson … defenceman Matus Lisy and Aleksey Chichkin left the game with upper body injuries and did not return … Red Deer wins the season series over Regina 3-1 … Varga played his 100th game on Tuesday … Hamilton scored his 30th career goal.

NEXT UP:

Friday, January 23 has the Rebels at the Marchant Crane Centrium for one more against the Calgary Hitmen at 7 p.m. before heading out on a BC road trip (TICKETS).