Rebels fall to Hitmen in home-and-home opener
CALGARY – The first chapter of a back-to-back against the Calgary Hitmen ended 4-1 in Calgary’s favour as the Red Deer Rebels traveled to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday night.
Noah Milford had the lone Rebels goal while Matthew Kondro stood tall in net.
The Rebels look to bounce back when they return home to face the Hitmen Saturday night.
Stats Story
Wyatt Pisarczyk (CGY) – 3 assists
Brandon Gorzynski (CGY) – 1 goal, 1 assist
Noah Milford (RD) – 1 goal
How it Happened
With just 15 seconds remaining in the opening frame, Axel Hurtig sent a stretch pass up the ice to Andrei Molgachev who snapped a short-side finish past Rebels netminder Matthew Kondro to give the Hitmen the early edge.
Kohen Lodge was given a chance to tie the game a few minutes later by was denied on a penalty shot.
Red Deer pushed back in the second. Noah Milford provided the response after Owen DeWitt pounced on a loose puck in the slot and slide it across, allowing Milford to squeeze the equalizer through the pads of Eric Tu.
Knockin' at the doorstep, it's Noah Milford! 🚪🤩@Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/b6p0wXTBB6
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) December 13, 2025
Momentum swung back Calgary’s way in the third. Kale Dach restored the Hitmen lead just 14 seconds in before Brandon Gorzynski added an insurance marker. Keaton Jundt sealed it late.
Kondro turned aside 38 of 41 shots, while the Rebels generated 22 shots at the other end.
The Rebels shut down all three of Calgary’s powerplays, while they couldn’t convert on two powerplay opportunities.
Brandt Three Stars
1. Wyatt Pisarczyk (CGY)
2. Brandon Gorzynski (CGY)
3. Axel Hurtig (CGY)
Next up
Red Deer gets another shot at the Hitmen on Saturday, December 13, at the Marchant Crane Centrium. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. (TICKETS).
