In a tough 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings at Rogers Place on Saturday, Red Deer Rebels’ goaltender Matthew Kondro stole the show in his first WHL start. The St. Albert native was outstanding, stopping 39 shots with several highlight-reel saves. Despite the defeat, which marked the Rebels’ second straight loss to the Oil Kings following a 4-2 setback at the Marchant Crane Centrium on Friday, Kondro’s performance was a bright spot. The Rebels now sit at 0-2 to start the season.
University of Maine commit Dylan Dean got his second goal of the season to give the Oil Kings a 1-0 lead at 6:57 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Fargo, North Dakota native Andrew O’Neill and Stettler, Alberta native Rhys Pederson.
Samuel Drancak tied the game up for the Rebels while on the Power Play at 13:40 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Beckett Hamilton and Talon Brigley.
University of North Dakota commit Andrew O’Neill scores his first of the season on the Power Play to give the Oil Kings a 2-1 lead at 19:37 of the first period. The helpers on the goal went to Luke Powell and Dylan Dean.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-6 for the Oil Kings
Lukas Sawchyn makes it a 3-1 Oil Kings game at 1:52 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Gavin Hodnett and Ethan MacKenzie.
17 year old North Vancouver native Josh Lee makes it a 4-1 game at 18:42 of the second period with the assists on the goal going to Rhys Pederson and Jensen Marsh.
Shots on goal in the second period were 22-2 for the Oil Kings
Shots on goal in the third period were 13-10 for the Rebels. The Oil Kings outshot the Rebels 43-21 in the game.
For the Oil Kings St. Albert, Alberta native Parker Snell made 20 saves on the 21 shots that he faced for the win for the Oil Kings. For the Rebels Matthew Kondro made 39 saves on the 43 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Andrew O’ Neill 2) Gavin Hodnett 3) Rhys Pederson
Attendance in Edmonton was 6,945
Rebels next game is Saturday September 27th in Red Deer against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 6pm.
