CALGARY (Interstat) — Charlie Kresl and Brennan Brown scored first-period goals, and the Calgary Hitmen defeated the Red Deer Rebels 3-2 in a shootout Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Western Hockey League play at Scotiabank Saddledome. Kresl opened scoring 4:44 into the first period, assisted by Wyatt Pisarczyk. Brown made it 2-0 at 15:59, with Julien Maze and Andrei Molgachev assisting. Cameron Kuzma put Red Deer on the board 1:01 into the third period, with Poul Andersen and Zeb Lindgren assisting. Kohen Lodge tied it at 4:15 of the third period, assisted by Paxson Madill and Graeme Pickering. Kuzma had a goal, 4 shots and 4 penalty minutes for Red Deer. Brown and Kresl each had a goal and 3 shots. Molgachev added an assist. Lodge had a goal and 3 shots. Lindgren had an assist and 5 shots. Kalder Varga had 5 shots, while Andersen had an assist and 3 shots. Hunter Aura had 5 shots for Calgary. Maze had an assist, 2 shots and 2 penalty minutes. Attendance was 2,776. Red Deer fell to 0-1, while Calgary improved to 1-0.