Saturday night in Red Deer saw stuffed animals and toques raining down on the ice in record numbers, despite the home team Rebels dropping a 7-3 decision to the visiting Prince Albert Raiders during the yearly Teddy Bear Toss game at the Peavey Mart Centrium. It was Landon MacSwain’s goal that triggered the massive shower of donations, sending thousands of items onto the rink to help the Red Deer Christmas Bureau bring some holiday cheer to families in need. The Rebels came out flying with speed and grit in the opening frame, but Prince Albert’s deeper lineup and stronger legs slowly wore them down and seized command over the last two periods.
17 year old Regina, Saskatchewan native Jonah Sivertson makes it a 1-0 game for the Raiders at 3:33 of the first period. The assist on the goal went to former Vernon Viper Linden Burrett.–
Landon MacSwain scores the Teddy Bear Toss Goal at 10:25 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Talon Brigley and Keith McInnis.–Red Deer got their teddy bear toss goal with 9:35 left in the third period, as Landon MacSwain brought the bears to the ice. After Keith McInnis took a slapshot from the point, the puck bounced around in the blue paint, before MacSwain was able to bury the rebound for his eighth goal of the season.
Nate Yellowaga made it a 2-1 game for the Rebels at 13:36 of the first period with the assist on the goal going to Luke Vlooswyk.–The Rebels took their first lead of the game with 6:24 left in the first, as Nate Yellowaga scored a highlight reel goal. The defenceman skated his way through the neutral zone, before making moves around a couple of Raiders, including Daxon Rudolph in the slot. Yellowaga then finished his chance by beating Fortin far side over his glove. It was his second goal of the season, putting the home side up 2-1.
Shots on goal in the first period were 18-9 for the Raiders
Maddix McCagherty tied the game up for the Raiders with his 8th goal of the season at 1;31 of the second period. The assist on the goal going to Linden Burrett.
Winnipeg, Manitoba native Ethan Bibeau gave the Raiders a 3-2 edge at 9:43 of the second period picking up his first goal of the season. The assists on the goal went to Linden Burrett and 16 year old Prince Albert native Connor Howe
Shots on goal in the second period were 15-3 for the Raiders
Lacombe, Alberta native Daxon Rudolph scored his 8th goal of the season on the Power Play to give the Raiders a 4-2 lead at 3:33 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to a couple of 2nd over all bantam draft picks (2023& 2024) Riley Boychuk and Brock Cripps. Oh yeah Rudolph was also the first overall Bantam Draft pick in 2023.
20 year old assistant captain and University of Nebraska-Omaha commit Aiden Oiring gave the Raiders a commanding 5-2 lead at 5:00 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to former Penticton Vee Max Heise and Daxon Rudolph.
Calgary native Max Heise makes it a 6-2 game for the Raiders on the Power Play at 9:07 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Daxon Rudolph and Aiden Oiring.
Matej Mikes got the Rebels on the board in the third at 12:03 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Nate Yellowaga and Matthew Kondro.–There was a fourth straight powerplay goal scored, but this time it came from the Rebels, as Matej Mikes found the back of the net. After Yellowage fanned on a shot in the slot, Mikes gathered the rebound and beat Fortin glove side for his second goal of the season. That made it a 6-3 game.
Owen Corkish fires one into the empty net for the Raiders to end it as a 7-3 game for the Raiders. Unassisted.
Shots on goal in the third period were 10-6 for the Raiders. The Raiders outshot the Rebels 43-18 in the game
Dimitri Fortin made 15 saves on the 18 shots that he faced for the win for the Raiders. For the Rebels Matthew Kondro stopped 36 of the 42 shots he was peppered with on the night.
Three Stars of the game 1) Daxon Rudolph 2) Linden Burrett 3) Nate Yellowaga
Attendance in Red Deer was 4423
Rebels next game is Friday December 12th against the Calgary Hitmen in Calgary.
Daxon Rudolph, a towering 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-shot defenseman for the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL, is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, with rankings placing him as high as No. 4 overall in some boards and consistently in the 8-10 range across major outlets like Sportsnet and McKeen’s Hockey. Formerly the WHL’s first-overall draft selection, Rudolph excels as a two-way force with elite skating, exceptional gap control, and sharp hockey IQ, enabling him to dominate rushes defensively while contributing offensively through smart reads and point production. Scouts compare him to Aaron Ekblad for his size, poise, and potential to become a top-pairing stalwart, though he must refine consistency against pros and build physical strength to reach that elite ceiling in the NHL