Stettler Lightning showed strong signs of recovery last weekend after their two consecutive home-ice defeats in the Heritage Junior B Hockey League when they won handsomely 8-5 over High River Flyers on the road on Friday, Nov. 19.
The next day they lost 5-4 to Banff Academy Bears in Banff as a result of a controversial overtime goal.
In Friday’s game, the Lightning took the lead within just 30 seconds of the puck dropping with Ty Griffith opening the scoring for Lightning, followed in less than two minutes by the second goal scored by Jacob Schwarzenberger, who added another one in five minutes.
The Lightning ended the first period with a 4-2 lead after Kyler O’Connor scored yet another goal.
The second period was drier in terms of scoring opportunities with the only point coming for the local side from captain Brett Wold.
In the third period, the Lightning offense again took charge and they scored three more, courtesy of Steve Blacklock, Orie Spearing and Reese Anheliger.
The game in Banff on Saturday proved to be more challenging.
Although the Lightning held the lead towards the end of the game, they could not hold on to their advantage and the hosts scored in overtime to claim the points. Brett Wold and Myles Rindal scored two goals each.
Lightning head coach Doug Smith said a Banff player had actually pushed the puck into the net with his glove but that he believed the officials could not see it from their angle.
Despite the split record over the weekend, coach Smith sounded optimistic for the upcoming games.
“We found our goal scoring touch in High River, which is nice to see,” Smith said.
“I wish we would be more solid defensively, but I will gladly take the offense when it decides to show up, that’s for sure.”
“On Saturday, we played a terrific third period, we only gave a couple of chances and one of them ended up in our net and those you have to live with,” Smith added.
“Overall, team-wise it was a good effort from everyone, and it was a good thing to see.”
As the Independent went to press on Tuesday evening, the Lightning was hosting Blackfalds Ford Wranglers.