Rebels split weekend, still atop WHL Central after 9-4 win, 7-3 loss
Red Deer's five-game win streak ended in Calgary, but the club remains first in the division as two teammates share the league scoring lead.
The Red Deer Rebels beat the Victoria Royals 9-4 at the Centrium on Oct. 16, with rookie Jake Banicevic scoring his first career hat trick and adding an assist. Beckett Hamilton scored twice, and Cole Temple, Jake Missura, Grayden Peterson and Noah Chadi each added a goal as goaltender Matthew Kondro made 32 saves.
The following day, Red Deer lost 7-3 to the Calgary Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome despite outshooting their opponent, ending the Rebels' five-game win streak and marking their first October loss. Hamilton recorded a goal and two assists, and Peterson scored twice. Both teams scored three power-play goals, with Calgary also netting a shorthanded goal.
Despite the split, Red Deer remains atop the WHL Central Division. Teammates Hamilton and Poul Andersen are tied for the league scoring lead with 20 points each, five points ahead of the next closest player, and are tied for the WHL lead in assists with 11.
The Rebels play four straight home games at the Centrium starting Oct. 23 against the Penticton Vees, followed by a game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Oct. 24.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.