Rebels fall to Oil Kings on New Year’s Day

EDMONTON – The Red Deer Rebels started the new year on the road Thursday afternoon at Rogers Place, opening 2026 with a 5-1 setback against the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Edmonton got on the board early as Austin Zemlak struck just 2:20 into the opening frame. Gavin Hodnett followed later in the period, beating Rebels netminder, Matthew Kondro to give the Oil Kings a two-goal edge after 20 minutes.

The Oil Kings extended their lead in the second period with three more tallies. Zemlak found the back of the net for the second time, Landon Hanson added one, and Cage Smith capped the scoring to make it 5-0.

Red Deer pushed back in the third, generating more pressure and breaking through on the powerplay. Owen Shadrick buried a rebound off a Kohen Lodge shot, denying Parker Snell the shutout with his fifth goal of the season.

The Rebels recorded 17 shots on Snell, while Edmonton fired 24 attempts at Kondro.

Edmonton was 1-for-3 on power plays in this one while Red Deer was held to 0-for-4.

BRANDT THREE STARS

1. Austin Zemlak (EDM)
2. Landon Hanson (EDM)
3. Lukas Sawchyn (EDM)

NOTES

Forwards Matthew Gard and Matej Mikes were unavailable for the Rebels in this one, as was defenceman Aleksey Chichkin, while Samuel Drancak and Matus Lisy remain away at the World Juniors. Defenceman Noah Chadi made his WHL debut for the Rebels. He is with the club on a tryout basis from the Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) where he has 13 points and 47 penalty minutes in 26 games. Chadi, who turns 18 on January 20, won silver at this year’s World Junior A Challenge with Canada West.

NEXT UP

Red Deer returns home to the Marchant Crane Centrium on Saturday, January 3 to battle the Seattle Thunderbirds at 6 p.m. (TICKETS).