The weather was frigid Saturday night, but the Stettler Legion Blues were hot.
With temperatures pushing minus-30 C, the midget A Blues travelled to Innisfail and posted a 5-2 win over the host Flyers, the top team in the North Central Minor Hockey Association.
Stettler has a three-game winning streak that includes back-to-back victories over the two division leaders — Innisfail and the Barrhead Steelers.
The Blues are 6-6 on the season.
“There is lots to improve on, but we are slowly working our way up the division standings,” said Neil McCallum, the Blues’ assistant coach and co-manager.
“Our next test is this coming weekend, versus Ponoka, here in Stettler.”
The Blues host the Ponoka Wolves (6-4-2) at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Last weekend, Stettler shut down an Innisfail team that has lost just twice in 12 games this season.
“In the first two periods, we really used our speed to take advantage of some Innisfail breakdowns,” McCallum said. “The line of rookies Brendan Bardwell, Quade Cassidy and Matt Sylvester really moved the puck around and created some great offensive chances.
“We were led by some strong play from our captains. Kieran Rost was an offensive force, Chase Cooke had a strong two-way game, and Brett Rider was our leader from the defensive side of things.
“When we did have breakdowns, Jordy (goaltender Jordan McCallum) was there to bail us out. In the third, Innisfail threw everything at us, but we managed to hold on. Jordy ended up making 50 saves on 52 shots.”
The Blues fired 39 shots at Aiden Doel in the Innisfail net.
Rost’s three-point night included two goals.
The Kid Line combined for six points, as Cassidy and Sylvester each collected a goal and an assist, and Bardwell added two assists.
Cooke also scored for Stettler, which led 3-1 after the first period and 5-1 after 40 minutes.
Ryan Spiller netted both Innisfail goals. He has seven goals and 14 points in eight games this season, and sits seventh in league scoring. Stettler’s top gun is Cassidy, with six goals and 13 points in 12 games.