Rebels cook up 4-0 Thanksgiving victory over Oil Kings
RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels served up a Thanksgiving feast on Monday afternoon as they cooked up a 4-0 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings at the Marchant Crane Centrium.
Fuelled by four different goal-scorers and a stellar performance between the pipes, the Rebels improved their season to 6-2-0-1.
It took just 92 seconds for the Rebels to get cooking. Down the wing, Patrick Sopiarz burst into the Oil Kings zone putting a shot on net. Oil Kings goaltender Parker Snell made the initial save, but Cameron Kuzma was waiting to burry the rebound and give the Rebels an early 1-0 start.
Later in the opening frame with the Rebels on a power play, Beckett Hamilton let a high shot go from the slot that bounced off the end glass into the crease and onto the tape of Poul Andersen’s stick, where he made no mistake tucking it home to double the Rebels’ lead with his league leading ninth goal and 18th point.
On to the second period when after fending a push from the Oil Kings, the Rebels struck again as it was Hamilton who found the back of the net. On a power play, Cash Arcand-Vandale spotted Hamilton driving toward the net from the corner and delivered the pass, allowing Hamilton to redirect the puck home, giving Arcand-Vandale his first WHL point and letting the Rebels ride into the third ahead by three.
Less than five minutes into the final frame Kalder Varga looked across the ice as if searching for a passing option before firing a no-look shot along the ice and past Snell to make it 4-0, putting the finishing touch on the Thanksgiving matinee.
At the other end of the ice, Matthew Kondro turned aside all 34 shots he faced to record his first shutout of the season and second of his career. Snell finished the afternoon with 37 saves on 41 shots for Edmonton.
The Rebels’ special teams were in fine form, converting twice on six power play opportunities, while shutting down all six of the Oil Kings’ man advantages.
BRANDT THREE STARS
- Matthew Kondro (RD)
- Cameron Kuzma (RD)
- Cash Arcand-Vandale (RD)
WHAT THEY SAID
Head Coach Brent Kisio
Matthew Kondro
NOTES – Andersen now has points in all nine Rebels games this season and leads the WHL with 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists) … Cameron Kuzma extended his point streak to five games and had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in this one … Hamilton has 15 points in seven games (6 goals, 9 assists) … Rebels scratches for the game includes Noah Chadi, Kohen Lodge (lower-body), Paxson Madill, Luke Jamieson, and Graeme Pickering … The Rebels earned their first win over Edmonton since Feb. 14, 2025 and snapped an 11-game winless skid against the Oil Kings . . . Attendance for the game was 3,438.
NEXT UP – For the first time since 2024, the Rebels will host the Victoria Royals at the Marchant Crane Centrium at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 16.
