The Red Deer Rebels kicked off their WHL pre-season Friday night against Calgary taking on the Hitmen at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex at Tsuut’ina First Nation.
It was a low scoring affair, with the Hitmen squeeking out a 1-0 victory.
Ben Kindel scored the lone goal for Calgary 12:43 into the first period, beating Rebels goaltender Peyton Shore just as a Hitmen power play had ended.
Calgary outshot Red Deer 40-13. Then Rebels were 0-4 on the powerplay while the Hitmen went 0-6.
Shore made some big saves in the third period to keep Red Deer in the game. The 16-year-old netminder from Winnipeg turned away 39 shots on the night.
Red Deer applied pressure late with the net empty but were unable to tie it up with the extra attacker.
The Rebels will play their pre-season home opener Saturday night (Sept 7) when they host the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the Peavey Mart Centrium starting at 7 p.m.