Rebels fall in Medicine Hat
By Xander Holcomb – On the heels of a busy WHL Trade Deadline, a new-look lineup for the Red Deer Rebels took to the ice in Medicine Hat Friday night in search of an elusive win.
The host Tigers poured on the offence, outshooting the Rebels 42-13 on their way to a 8-1 victory.
The lone Rebels goal came from Nolan Schmidt, when he put home his first career WHL goal in the second period.
Stats Story:
Nolan Schmidt – First WHL Goal
Marcus Pacheco – 3G
Gavin McKenna – 3A
How it Happened:
Medicine Hat broke the ice with 6:31 to play in the opening period when Bryce Pickford rushed from the blueline and ripped a shot from the top of the faceoff circle, beating Rebels starter Chase Wutzke.
Tigers newcomer Tanner Molendyk beat Wutzke with a one-timer from the left faceoff circle to double the lead to 2-0 just 50 seconds later.
Only 1:37 into the second frame, Nolan Schmidt registered his first career WHL goal, beating Tigers netminder Harrison Meneghin with a deflection from the top of the crease, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Juuust snuck through for goal 1⃣! pic.twitter.com/hgn0eSZ6U0
— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) January 11, 2025
Marcus Pacheco restored the two-goal lead for the Tigers with a shorthanded tally 8:35 into the second period. He beat Wutzke to the glove side on a 2-on-1 rush.
Just 1:23 later, Pachecho struck again to make it a 4-1 Tigers lead, as he was the beneficiary of a Gavin McKenna cross-ice pass to the backdoor of the goal crease.
Hunter St. Martin made it a 5-1 game with just 55 seconds to play in the second period, as he deflected home a scramble play in front of Wutzke.
Over two minutes into the third, Tigers forward Ethan Neutens made it a 6-1 game, beating Rebels goaltender Matthew Kondro who stepped in for his WHL debut in relief of Wutzke.
Medicine Hat made it 7-1 with 13:08 to play as Oasiz Weisblatt put home a loose puck from just outside the crease.
Pacheco completed his hat-trick with another shorthanded goal with 52 seconds remaining in the game.
Three Stars:
3. Harrison Meneghin (MH)
2. Gavin McKenna (MH)
1. Marcus Pacheco (MH)
Notables:
Newly acquired forwards Ty Coupland (from Swift Current) and Gleb Semenov (import waivers) along with defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk (from Moose Jaw) all made their Rebels debut in the game … Talon Brigley had an assist to extend his point streak to three games … Schmidt now has points in two-straight … Kalan Lind was knocked out of the game late in the first period on a hit from behind into the boards from Tigers defenceman Niilopekka Muhonen, who was given a minor penalty … Matthew Gard also left the game in the first period due to injury … Medicine Hat head coach WIllie Desjardins earned his 500th victory.
Next up:
The Rebels are back at home tomorrow (Saturday) as the Prince Albert Raiders come to the Peavey Mart Centrium for a 7 p.m. puck drop.
