Rebels suffer narrow 2-1 loss to Hitmen

CALGARY – The Red Deer Rebels got the early jump on the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday afternoon, but the early spark wasn’t enough in a tight 2-1 setback at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

With the result, Red Deer’s record moves to 21-31-2-2. The Rebels remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Moose Jaw.

Stats Story:

Tyson Yaremko (RD) – 1 goal

Matthew Kondro (RD) – 38 saves

Aidan Hesse (CGY) – 31 saves, win

How it Happened:

Midway through the opening frame, the Red Deer Rebels struck first. Tyson Yaremko redirected the puck past Calgary Hitmen netminder, Aiden Hesse, to give Red Deer the early edge.

AND IT'S A GOOD GOAL.🚨

Tyson Yaremko puts the Rebels on the board with his 9⃣th goal of the season!👏@Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/6mcYnVzL7i

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 22, 2026

The equalizer didn’t come until the second period hit its midpoint, when Calgary’s Hunter Aura stepped into a powerplay opportunity and wired a shot from the top of the circle past Matthew Kondro to even the score.

The deciding factor arrived late in the third. With 5:32 remaining, Andrei Molgachev capitalized on the man advantage, finishing a backdoor feed from Julien Maze to put the Hitmen in front for good.

Kondro was sharp and steady under heavy pressure, turning aside 38 of 40 shots in a busy night between the pipes. At the other end, Hesse faced 32 shots from a persistent Rebels attack.

Red Deer was unable to convert on three powerplay chances, while Calgary made good on two of its three opportunities with the extra skater.

Brandt Three Stars:

1. Hesse (CGY)

2. Molgachev (CGY)

3. Kondro (RD)

Notes:

Scratched for the game for Red Deer were Cameron Dillard, Cole Temple (lower), and Kohen Lodge (two of two game suspension) … attendance for the game was 5,906.

Next up:

The schedule has the Red Deer Rebels at home on Friday, February 27 for a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Edmonton Oil Kings (TICKETS).