Friday night at the Marchant Crane Centrium was all about Rebels captain Talon Brigley, who made franchise history by playing his 302nd career regular-season game, breaking the old record of 301 held by Jonathan Zukiwsky. The Sylvan Lake native, who’s been with the team since debuting as a 16-year-old in 2021, got a nice pre-game ceremony with a watch from owner/GM Brent Sutter, and his parents Trina and Travis even joined him on the ice for photos. Brigley called it really special and said he owes the organization everything for how they’ve helped him grow as a player and person. Coach Marc Habscheid couldn’t say enough good things, calling him a great leader, player, and an even better guy—especially important on the league’s youngest roster full of 17-year-olds who need a solid shepherd like him. The 20-year-old forward has 26 points in 40 games this season and is headed to NCAA Division I Sacred Heart next year.Unfortunately, the milestone night ended in a tough 5-3 loss to the Tri-City Americans in their only meeting this season. The Rebels battled hard, tying it up a couple times (goals from Matus Lisy, Tyson Yaremko, and Beckett Hamilton), but Tri-City pulled away late with a power-play tally from Cruz Pavao and an empty-netter. Goalie Peyton Shore made some good saves, but Xavier Wendt was outstanding for the Americans, stopping 42 of 45 shots. Habscheid felt his team deserved better with all the chances they created. The loss drops Red Deer to 12-22-2-2 as they kick off a four-game homestand—they’re right back at it hosting Lethbridge on Saturday.
20 year old WHL journeyman Connor Dale got the Americans on the board first at 6:06 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Surrey, BC native Savin Virk and the third overall pick in the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft Aden Bouchard.–Connor Dale took a return feed from Savin Virk while racing through center ice, creating a short breakaway for himself. Faking a move to the backhand, Dale got Rebels goaltender Peyton Shore to bite before lifting a shot on his forehand over Shore’s blocker for his 17th of the season. Friday was Dale’s 200th career WHL game.
Matus Lisy ties the game up for the Rebels at 7:33 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Matej Mikes.-Matus Lisy shot a rebound through traffic, beating a screened Wendt with his fourth of the year to tie the game at one just 1:27 after the American’s goal.
Rebels outshot the Americans 21-12 in the first period
Former Prince Albert Raider Grady Martin scores for the Americans to make it 2-1 at 6:09 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Mead, Washington native Dylan LeBret and Connor Dale.
Former Calgary Canuck Gavin Garland makes it 3-1 at 7:32 of the second period shorthanded. The assists on the goal went to Connor Dale and Cochrane, Alberta native Jaxen Adam.–Dale skated down the right wing on a potential breakaway but elected to pass the puck across the slot to Gavin Garland who ripped it past Shore for a shorthanded goal. It was Garland’s 12th goal of the year and the Americans fifth shorthanded goal of the season.
Tyson Yaremko cuts the lead down to 3-2 at 11:53 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Matej Mikes and Cameron Kuzma.–Just four minutes after that, the Rebels answered back on the power play. Tyson Yaremko pounced on a loose puck right at the top of the crease and tucked it home, slicing the Americans’ lead to 3-2 with 8:07 still left on the clock in the period.
Shots on goal in the second period were 14-10 for the Rebels
Beckett Hamilton ties the game up for the Rebels at 3:57 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Kalder Varga and Tyson Yaremko.–Red Deer’s top point-producer, Beckett Hamilton, knotted things up just moments into the third period. A blast from the right point got deflected off course and caromed off the end boards straight to Hamilton on the opposite side of the crease. The Rebels’ leading scorer made no mistake, roofing the puck over a fully stretched-out Xavier Wendt at the 3:57 mark.
Calgary native Cruz Pavao gives the Americans the lead at 12:32 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to 16 year old Olds, Alberta native Crew Martinson and Czech Import Jakub Vanecek.–The game stayed locked at 3-3 until Tri-City earned a four-on-three power play after Kalder Varga was penalized for goaltender interference during four-on-four play. Jakub Vanecek fired a shot from the point that deflected off Crew Martinson in front, allowing Pavao to quickly snap the loose puck past Shore’s blocker with 7:28 remaining in regulation to give Tri-City a 4-3 lead.
Cruz Pavao then scored on the empty net 5-3 Tri City unassisted at 18:40 of the third period.
Shots on goal in the third period were 10-9 for the Americans. The Rebels outshot the Americans 45-32 in the game.
17 year old Plymouth, Minnesota native Xavier Wendt made 42 saves on the 45 shots that he faced for the win for the Americans. For the Rebels Peyton Shore stopped 27 of the 31 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game 1) Connor Dale 2) Matej Mikes 3) Savin Virk
Attendance in Red Deer was 4111
Rebels next game is Saturday January 17th in Red Deer against the Lethbridge Hurricanes
