Special teams were the difference when the host Red Deers Rebels defeated the Swift Current Broncos 3-2 on Thursday. The Rebels scored twice on the power play, while the Broncos finished zero-for-four on the man-advantage.
Kai Uchacz gave the Rebels the lead with a power play goal 4:38 into the second period. Rylan Gould answered minutes later with his ninth goal of the season.
The Rebels took a second lead in the third period with a Zane Saab goal. Brady Birnie tied the game for the Broncos with his 12th goal of the season. The Rebels clinched the win with a power play goal from Hunter Mayo with 3:27 remaining in regulation.
Joey Rocha made 29 saves to fall to 5-9-1-1 for the Broncos. Rhett Stoesser made 31 saves to improve to 8-7-0-1.
The Broncos fell to 15-13-1-2, seventh in the Eastern Conference, two points back of Red Deer, who improved to 16-12-0-3.
The Broncos will continue the three-game Alberta road trip on Friday in Edmonton.
