The Red Deer Rebels continued their tough six-game road trip through British Columbia with a Tuesday night matchup against the Kelowna Rockets, the hosts of the upcoming 2026 Memorial Cup at Prospera Place. The Rockets jumped out quickly with a goal in the opening minute, and though the Rebels battled hard in the first period and kept it close at 2-1, Kelowna pulled away in the second with three goals to take control. In the end, the Rockets came out on top 5-3 in front of 4,538 fans, snapping their own mini losing streak thanks in part to a four-point night from Vojtech Cihar, a milestone first WHL goal from Eli Barrett, solid special teams (going 2-for-3 on the power play while Red Deer managed just 1-for-5), and timely scoring that held off a late Rebels push. This marked the first time Kelowna had beaten Red Deer since November 11, 2017, ending the Rebels’ seven-game win streak over their opponents. The game also carried extra meaning as it was Kalder Varga’s return to Kelowna after the recent trade where the Rebels acquired the 17-year-old forward (along with some draft picks) from the Rockets in exchange for defenseman Keith McInnis—most folks figure Red Deer got the better long-term deal there. Varga chipped in with an assist in his first game back in the building, pushing his total to 11 points in 11 games with the Rebels. Meanwhile, Beckett Hamilton scored Red Deer’s first goal of the night to stretch his personal point streak to nine games. Unfortunately for Red Deer, the loss was their third straight overall and second on this B.C. swing. (And yeah, I still reckon Medicine Hat would’ve been a solid choice to host the Memorial Cup for a bunch of reasons, but Kelowna’s got the spotlight.
Nashville Predators 2024 3rd round pick Hiroki Gojsic makes it 1-0 game for the Rockets after a bad Rebels turnover in their own zone just 28 seconds into the game. The assist on the goal went to Czech WJC Silver Medalist Vojetch Cihar.–Kelowna jumped out quick—Rebel mistake right away, puck ends up on Gojsic’s stick and he picks the short side on Kondro just 28 secs in.
Patrick Sopiarz ties the game up for the Rebels at 7:16 of the first period with his 3rd goal of the season. The assists on the goal went to Kalder Varga and Beckett Hamilton.–Tied game now—Patrick Sopiarz crashes the net, grabs the loose change in the slot and beats Boettiger for his first as a Rebel. Solid finish.
Rockets scored a nice goal to tie the game up short handed at 19:16 of the first period. The goal was scored by Vojtech Cihar who got his first goal since joining the Rockets after the World Juniors. The assists on the goal went to 20 year old former Vancouver Giants captain Mazden Leslie and Tij Iginla.
Shots on goal in the first period were 13-9 for the Rockets.
A love tap double minor penalty ended up being the downfall of the game.
Rockets make it 3-1 on the Power Play, their first goal of the double minor at 3:01 of the second period with the goal going to Montreal Canadiens 2025 third rounder Hayden Paupanekis. The assists on the goal went to Vojtech Cihar and Mazden Leslie.
Tij Iginla makes it 4-1 on the Power Play at 3:35 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to 20 year old former Vancouver Giant Ty Halaburda and former Calgary Hitman Carson Wetsch.–Tij Iginla picked up his twentieth of the season just 3:35 into the second period from a wrister from the point. Ty Halaburda and Carson Wetsch picked up the assists. Both powerplay goals came just 34 seconds apart.
Surrey, BC native Eli Barrett makes it 5-1 Rockets with his first WHL goal at 13:33 of the second period with the assists on the goal going to Tomas Poletin and Vojtech Cihar.–The Rockets built off their momentum, as Eli Barrett (1) picked up his first career WHL goal after he came down the right side and ripped one past the Rebels’ netminder on a cross-ice pass from Cihar.
Shots on goal in the second period were 15-5 for the Rockets
Nate Yellowaga did a Bobby Orr impression walking in solo through most of the Rockets team on the Power Play and got the Rebels some life at 14:17 of the third period. Unassisted.–Rebels get one back—Yellowaga goes coast-to-coast, weaves past four defenders and beats the goalie clean for his fifth of the season at 14:17 in the third.
Patrick Sopiarz gets his second goal of the game to get the Rebels within 2 at 16:57 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Matus Lisy and Beckett Hamilton.-Patrick Sopiarz scored his second of the night just 1:40 later, as he jammed home a point shot after a rebound off the end boards came to his stick at the side of the net. That’s where the Rebels late rally ended as the Rocket closed out the win.
Shots on goal in the third period were 12-10 for the Rebels. The Rockets outshot the Rebels 38-26 in the game.
Harrison Boettiger made 23 saves on the 26 shots the he faced for the win for the Rockets. For the Rebels Matthew Kondro stopped 23 of the 28 shots he faced before being replaced by Peyton Shore at 18:36 of the third period and he stopped all 10 of the shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Vojtech Cihar 2) Eli Barrett 3) Tij Iginla
Attendance in Kelowna was 4538
Rebels next game is Wednesday January 28th against the Kamloops Blazers in Kamloops.
