The Red Deer Rebels left everything on the ice at the Art Hauser Centre on Good Friday, battling the top-seeded Prince Albert Raiders to the bitter end in a 4-3 overtime thriller that had the building rocking. Down 3-2 late in the third period and missing key contributors like forward Poul Andersen and Matej Mikes, the Rebels refused to fold. Beckett Hamilton got them on the board early, Kohen Lodge helped keep things within reach, and defenceman Nate Yellowaga delivered a clutch equalizer with just 43 seconds left, banking the puck in off a Raiders defender to force extra time and send a jolt through the visiting bench.
Yet the top team in the East ultimately had the answers. Just 1:21 into overtime, Dallas Stars prospect Brandon Gorzynski pounced on a rebound off Brayden Dube’s shot, wrapped the puck around a sprawling Matthew Kondro, and tucked it home for the series-clinching winner. Kondro was outstanding once again in net, turning aside 48 of 52 shots in a gutsy performance that saw him post 170 saves across the five games at a .895 save percentage. The Raiders took the Eastern Conference quarterfinals 4-1 and advanced to the second round for the second straight season, while the Rebels’ campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion. Cash Arcand-Vandale made his WHL playoff debut in the loss, and the organization tipped its cap to graduating players Talon Brigley, Aleksey Chichkin, and Tyson Yaremko, who suited up for the final time in Red Deer colours.
Brock Cripps opens up the scoring for the Raiders at 5:49 of the first period to make it a 1-0 game for the home squad. The assists on the goal went to Benett Kelly and former Red Deer Rebel Evan Smith.–Brock Cripps jumped into the rush from the blue line and ripped the opener past Matthew Kondro, putting Prince Albert up early at the Art Hauser Centre—just a little over five minutes in.
Beckett Hamilton ties the game up for the Rebels at 11:38 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Kalder Varga and Kohen Lodge.=The Rebels pushed back late in the first period. Kalder Varga carried the puck hard into the Raiders’ zone and slid a nice pass over to Beckett Hamilton, who didn’t miss, lifting a backhand past Michal Orsulak to tie it up at 1-1.
Shots on goal in the first period were 20-7 for the Raiders
Owen Corkish got his second goal of the playoffs to give the Raiders a 2-1 lead at 2:08 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Evan Smith and Victoria, BC native Brock Cripps.–Owen Corkish made his mark early in the second period, putting the Raiders ahead 2-1 just 2:08 in. Cripps fired a breakout pass from his own zone up to Corkish, who quickly one-touched it ahead to Evan Smith. Corkish kept skating and got the puck right back inside the blue line, then wired a shot glove-side past Kondro for his second goal of the playoffs.
Linden Burrett gives the Raiders a 3-1 lead at 14:26 of the second period. The assist on the goal went to 20 year old Bemidji State commit Brayden Dube.–With 5:34 left in the second and the teams playing four-on-four, Linden Burrett lit it up with a highlight-reel goal. Matyas Man threw a huge hit behind the Raiders’ net, which let Brayden Dube spring Burrett up the ice. He led a 2-on-1 down the left wing, made a slick move in tight, and tucked a backhand past Kondro. It was Burrett’s first of the playoffs and gave the Raiders some breathing room at 3-1.
Kohen Lodge gets the Rebels within one at 17:28 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Kalder Varga and Jake Missura.–Red Deer got one right back just 3:02 later when Kohen Lodge found the net. After taking a feed from Varga, Lodge drove in tight and beat Orsulak with a quick shot for his first of the playoffs. That made it 3-2 heading into the third, and the Rebels were fighting hard to keep their season going.
Shots on goal in the second period were 17-11 for the Raiders
Nate Yellowaga ties the game up to send it into overtime at 19:13 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Jiri Kamas and Patrick Sopiarz.–With 46.3 seconds left and Kondro pulled for the extra attacker, Nate Yellowaga tied it up. The defenceman tried to slide a pass across the crease, but the puck deflected off Justice Christensen’s skate right in front and trickled under Orsulak’s left pad. That late goal made it 3-3 and forced overtime for the first time in the series.
Shots on goal in the third period were 10-5 for the Raiders
Brandon Gorzynski scores the winner in overtime 1:21 in. The assists on the goal went to Brayden Dube and Brock Cripps.-Just over two minutes into the third, Brandon Gorzynski pounced on a loose puck and wrapped it around the post to bury it home, ending the game—and the Rebels’ season—right there. This right after Kondro stoned the Raiders on a previous wrap around attempt.
Shots on goal in the overtime frame were 5-0 for the Raiders. The Raiders outshot the Rebels 52-23 in the game.
Michal Orsulak made 20 saves on the 23 shots that he faced for the win for the Raiders. For the Rebels Matthew Kondro stopped 48 of the 52 shots that he faced.
Three Stars picked by someone who obviously is against Matthew Kondro were 1) Brock Cripps 2) Brandon Gorzynski 3) Linden Burrett. All reality Kondro probably has too many stars and they have to be fair like everything else in life.
Attendance in Prince Albert was 3141
