Rebels hold their own in tight 2-1 loss to Hitmen
RED DEER – Playing their fourth game in five nights, the Red Deer Rebels went stride for stride with the Calgary Hitmen, who were playing their first game since Sunday, but came up just short in falling 2-1 at the Marchant Crane Centrium.
Arjun Bawa was the lone Rebel to reach the scoresheet while Chase Wutzke made 18 saves.
“Probably the only thing I didn’t like was the score. That probably was our best game of the year,” suggested Rebels head coach Marc Habscheid.
“I liked our details. I liked the structure. I liked the togetherness. And, you know, they faced some adversity, travel four games, five nights, and we deserved better. Should have won that game. Third period was our great period, and just wasn’t meant to be tonight.”
Saturday’s game marked the Rebels debuts for 20-year-old defenceman Aleksey Chichkin and 17-year-old hometown forward Kohen Lodge after both players were acquired via trade on Friday.
“They were good. You know, first game, you never know what to expect. But they were fine. They moved the puck, got into the play, they’ll be good. Good additions for us, for sure.”
The Rebels’ record now sits at 4-9-0-1 as the squad will look to bounce back strong in Hitmen territory on Wednesday.
STATS STORY:
Arjun Bawa (RD): 1 goal
Chase Wutzke (RD): 18 saves
Aidan Hesse (CGY): 27 saves
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Three goals in the first 40 minutes were all it took to decide the first game between the Red Deer Rebels and the Calgary Hitmen.
Arjun Bawa got the Red Deer Rebels rolling early, ringing the shot off the back bar to open the scoring in the first period. Nolan Schmidt and Keith McInnis earned the assists. It’s the first point of the season for Schmidt while McInnis ran his point streak to five games.
ARJUN BAWA. TOP SHELF. 🚀@Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/qz0U0fSPvd
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) October 26, 2025
In the second, Caine Wilke scored on Red Deer netminder Chase Wutzke with a power play rebound to give the Hitmen their first goal.
Later, Kale Dach broke into the Rebels’ slot on another man-advantage and fired a precise shot into the top corner to give the Hitmen the lead.
Red Deer peppered Aidan Hesse with 27 shots, including 15 in the third period, while Chase Wutzke made 18 saves to keep his team in the game.
The Rebels were unable to convert on three power play situations during the game (Calgary was assessed an additional minor penalty at the end of the third period), while the Hitmen were 2-for-2.
BRANDT THREE STARS:
1. Wilke (CGY)
2. Schmidt (RD)
3. Lodewyk (CGY)
WHAT THEY SAID
Head coach Marc Habscheid
Kohen Lodge
NEXT UP:
A rematch is set for the Rebels and the Hitmen on Wednesday, October 29 at 6 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
