Within a week, Kai Uchacz, has scored three hat tricks. He did it for the third time Sunday, as The Red Deer Rebels played their first game of 2023 and beat The Calgary Hitmen 5-3.

Uchacz, who was named first star, continues to lead the league with 33 goals. Scoring the winning goal with his third of the season was rookie Ollie Josephson.

Unlike the previous three games which were all blow-outs in The Rebels favour, this game was more back and forth with The Hitmen coming back twice until The Rebels could finally put it away in the third period.

The Rebels now hit the road with games next Friday and Saturday against the Prince Albert Raiders and Saskatoon Blades. Red Deer’s next home game is Jan. 11 when the Moose Jaw Warriors visit the Peavey Mart Centrium.