Rebels drop 7-4 decision to Tigers
MEDICINE HAT – The opening chapter of a back-to-back between the Red Deer Rebels and Medicine Hat Tigers tilted in favour of the home side, as the Rebels fell 7-4 to the red-hot Tigers at Co-op Place.
Landon MacSwain, Talon Brigley, Matej Mikes and Poul Andersen supplied the offence for Red Deer.
With the loss, the Rebels move to 10-18-2-2 on the season as they return home Tuesday with a chance to flip the script versus the Tigers.
Stats Story
Yaroslav Bryzgalov (MH) – 1 goal, 3 assists
Liam Ruck, Josh Van Mulligen (MH) – 1 goal, 1 assist
Noah Milford (RD) – 2 assists
How it Happened
Medicine Hat struck first on the powerplay as Liam Ruck unloaded a one-timer past Peyton Shore, giving the Tigers their first lead of the night.
Landon MacSwain brought things level by poking a loose puck past Tigers goaltender Carter Casey midway through the period.
Landon MacSwain!! Tie game 💪@Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/BIiongqLxs
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) December 28, 2025
The second period cracked the game wide open, with both teams trading blows in a fast-and-furious frame.
Talon Brigley set the tone early, charging hard to the net and using his strength to power through the Tigers’ defense. Hauled down in the process, Brigley still managed to flip the puck top shelf, giving the Rebels the lead and igniting the bench.
TALON BRIGLEY!! @REBELSHOCKEY TAKES THE LEAD!! pic.twitter.com/mHU5FwEI0M
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) December 29, 2025
The response was immediate, though, as WHL leading scorer Bryce Pickford struck on the powerplay to tie the game at two. Moments later, Kade Stengrim fired a shot that produced a rebound for Gavin Kor to put home and restore the Tigers lead. Carter Cunningham followed up soon after, extending the advantage to 4-2.
Matej Mikes sparked another push for Red Deer. Breaking into Tigers territory with speed, Mikes snapped a wrist shot past Casey to pull the Rebels back within one.
Matej Mikes!! His third of the season!!@Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/mgb8iI8L69
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) December 29, 2025
However, Josh Van Mulligen and Ethan Neutens each added goals before the buzzer, sending the Tigers into the break with a three-goal lead.
Yaroslav Bryzgalov added a seventh Tigers goal in the third period.
Poul Andersen buried his first goal as a Rebel on a late powerplay.
A late spark and a milestone moment – Poul Andersen pots his first as a Rebel!#RDREBELS #WHL pic.twitter.com/J0F5OW92cH
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) December 29, 2025
Red Deer generated 22 shots on Casey, while Medicine Hat tested Shore 31 times.
The Rebels finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Tigers capitalized on both of their man-advantage opportunities.
Brandt Three Stars
1. Yaroslav Bryzgalov (MH)
2. Josh Van Mulligen (MH)
3. Liam Ruck (MH)
Notes
Kohen Lodge (upper) missed the game due to injury and listed as week-to-week … forward Owen Shadrick was a scratch while forward Samuel Drancak (Czechia) and defenceman Matus Lisy (Slovakia) were away at World Juniors.
Next up
Back to Red Deer for the Rebels as the Medicine Hat Tigers travel to the Marchant Crane Centrium for the second half of the back-to-back at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30 (TICKETS).
