(Image Credit: Taylor Lachance/Red Deer Rebels)
Rebels 5 Blazers 3

Blazers fall late to East-leading Rebels

Nov 4, 2026 | 7:09 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers couldn’t sweep their three-game Alberta road trip, falling to the Eastern Conference-leading Red Deer Rebels Tuesday (Nov. 3) 5-3. 

The Blazers struck first late in the first period but early in a power play. Joaquin Geras fired off a wrist shot from the top of the left circle five seconds after a faceoff win by Jacob Dumansky to make it 1-0 Kamloops. However, the Rebels would tie the game a minute later. 

Red Deer took a 2-1 lead in the second period. Blazers goaltender Kaeden Tate dislodged his net while hugging the post to stop a lacrosse-like (also known as “the Michigan”) attempt on net, but the Rebels pounced on the rebound while the left post was out. Following an official review, the call on the ice of a good goal stood. 

The Blazers responded with two goals within a 20-second span. River Arnason scored as he was tripped and Andrew Thompson fired a shot from the right circle off a broken play to give Kamloops a 3-2 lead. 

The Blazers’ lead wouldn’t hold, though, as the Rebels tied the game early in the third period. The Blazers also wouldn’t be able to escape Red Deer with a point. Cameron Kuzma crashed the crease and drove into Tate as Kalder Varga followed up by putting home the rebound. The Rebels added an empty net goal to secure the 5-3 win. 

The Blazers fall to 9-5-2-0 on the 2026-27 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, good for 20 points in 16 games. They trail the Vancouver Giants for first in the WHL B.C. Division by one point, although the Victoria Royals are two points behind the Blazers with three games in hand. 

The Blazers begin a three-game homestand when they welcome the Seattle Thunderbirds to Sandman Centre Friday (Nov. 6). Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. 

Scoring Summary 

First Period 

1-0, Blazers, Joaquin Geras (1) from Jacob Dumansky (power play), 17:40 

1-1, Rebels, Poul Andersen (15) from Owen DeWitt and Jiri Kamas, 18:39 

Second Period 

2-1, Rebels, Jake Banicevic (7) from Cameron Kuzma and Patrick Sopiarz, 8:03 

2-2, Blazers, River Arnason (3) from Ty Bonkowski and Jacob Dumansky, 15:32 

3-2, Blazers, Andrew Thomson (8) from Logan Lanti and Joaquin Geras, 15:52 

Third Period 

3-3, Rebels, Cameron Kuzma (5) from Poul Andersen and Graeme Pickering, 5:49 

4-3, Rebels, Kalder Varga (4) from Cameron Kuzma and Matus Lisy, 18:28 

5-3, Rebels, Patrick Sopiarz (4) unassisted (empty net), 19:12 

Goaltending 

Matthew Kondro (W), Rebels, 26 saves on 29 shots in 60 minutes played. 

Kaeden Tate (L), Blazers, 33 saves on 37 shots in 60 minutes played.