SPOKANE - Darcy Kuemper turned aside 31 shots and earned first-star status Saturday as the Red Deer Rebels snapped a two-game Western Hockey League losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs.
A power-play goal by Byron Froese at 18:55 of the second period stood up as the winner.
John Persson supplied the Rebels with a 1-0 lead 7:04 into the contest and Anthony Bardaro pulled the Chiefs even eight minutes later.
From there, Red Deer defenceman Justin Weller connected at 3:21 of the middle period and Froese potted the eventual winner just prior to the second intermission.
Turner Elson, with his fourth of the season, gave the Rebels a 4-1 lead at 15:36 of the final frame. Levko Koper, with Red Deer two men short, scored for Spokane with two minutes remaining, but it was too little, too late.
James Reid made 21 saves for the Chiefs.
Red Deer winger Andrej Kudrna collected three assists and was named third star of the game. Linemate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up a pair of helpers.
The Rebels are idle until next weekend when they host the Vancouver Giants and Saskatoon Blades Friday and Saturday.