There is no way on earth that it is humanly possible that the Rebels can play as bad as they did the last 3 games. The Red Deer Rebels stumbled out of the gate in 2025, dropping a 6-2 decision to the Calgary Hitmen. Playing the second of a four-game homestand, the Rebels saw goals from Carson Birnie and Jaxon Fuder at the Peavy Mart Centrium on Friday night. This marks Red Deer’s fifth consecutive loss and their first defeat in four matchups against Calgary this season.
Former Moose Jaw Warrior Kalem Parker got the Hitmen on the board first on a screened shot from the point at 3:10 of the first period to make it a 1-0 game. The assists on the goal went to Carson Wetsch and Brandon Gorzynski.
Shots on goal in the first period were 14-8 for the Hitmen
Dax Williams made it a 2-0 game for the Hitmen at 11:49 of the second period with the assist on the goal going to Ben Kindel.—Dax Williams awaited a pass from Ben Kindel in the high slot then snapped a quick wrist shot top corner past Wutzke
Ethan Moore got his 10th of the season at 12:40 of the second period unassisted to make it a 3-0 Hitmen game.-Fifty-one seconds later, Ethan Moore cashed in a Rebels turnover for a 3-0 Hitmen lead.
Sawyer Mayes from Salmon Arm, BC made it a 4-0 game for the Hitmen at 15:47 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Wyatt Pisarcyzk and Ethan Moore.– Sawyer Mayes capped off the second period scoring by batting in the rebound five minutes later to move the Hitmen ahead by four.
Shots on goal in the second period were 16-11 for the Hitmen
Caron Birnie finally got the Rebels on the board 37 seconds into the third period with the assists on the goal going to Jaxon Fuder and Matthew Gard.–in the third as the Rebels came to life when Carson Birnie put home a Jaxon Fuder rebound for his ninth goal of the season and 60th career point.
Ottawa Senators 2024 7th overall pick Carter Yakemchuk scores for the Hitmen at 3:11 of the third period on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Oliver Tulk and Ben Kindel.–Carter Yakemchuk scored six seconds in to a Calgary power play for a 5-1 Hitmen advantage.
Jaxon Fuder scored short handed at 7:05 of the third period to make it a 5-2 game.– Jaxon Fuder ignited the building by stealing the puck at the Hitmen blue line and tucking it past Miller for Red Deer’s third shorthanded goal of the season.
Oliver Tulk got his 17th goal of the season on the Power Play at 17:23 of the third period to make it a 6-2 game for the Hitmen. The assists on the goal went to Connor Hvidston and Ben Kindel.– Oliver Tulk would add another power play goal for the Hitmen to round out the scoring on the night.
Shots on goal in the third period were 15-12 for the Rebels. The Hitmen outshot the Rebels in the game 42-34
Former Lloydminster Bobcat and Anchorage, Alaska native Anders Miller made 32 saves on the 34 shots that he faced for the win for the Hitmen. For the Rebels Chase Wutzke made 36 savers on the 42 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Ben Kindel 2) Jaxon Fuder 3) Ethan Moore
Attendance in Red Deer was 4109
Rebels next game is Saturday against the Regina Pats at home and then on Tuesday January 7th against the Saskatoon Blades also at the Peavy Mart Centrium.
