Skip to content

Stettler Junior B Lightning put away another win

Feeling confident heading into weekend games
14418538_web1_lj-Lightning-8965

By Emily Jaycox

For the Independent

The Lightning Junior B hockey team won their home game against the Blackfalds Wranglers 5-4 on Nov. 13, giving them a four-point berth between them and Blackfalds.

The Lightning started out strong Tuesday night, with two goals in the first period, giving up nothing to the Wranglers.

Lightning No. 20 Brendan Tucker scored at 7:56 on a power play, assisted by No. 19 Logan Spady and No. 10 Matt Sylvester.

Eight minutes later, the Lightning scored again, with a goal from No. 6 Keiran Rost, assisted by No. 4 Quade Cassidy and Sylvester.

The Wranglers found the Lightning’s net twice in the second period, tying up the game 2-2.

With neither team leading, Head Coach Rory Rost said the Lightning, “kind of had the game under control.”

The Wranglers took a game-changing major penalty two minutes into the third period, however.

A Wrangler player, about to take a clean hit, put his stick up and a Lightning player took it in the face, smashing out several teeth.

The Wranglers were shorthanded for 10 minutes.

The Lightning capitalized on the opportunity, scoring two powerplay goals and one short-handed goal, gaining a 5-2 lead.

Goals were from Spady, Cassidy and Tye Mulgrove.

“They lost the game because of it, for sure.”

The Wranglers scored late in the third, and again with 10 seconds left on the clock, bringing the score to 5-4 for Stettler.

RELATED: Stettler Lightning defeats Coaldale Copperheads in nailbiter

Blackfalds was the team that meted out a broken jaw and concussion to Stettler players in preseason play.

Despite the building frustration with the Wranglers’ rough playing style, Rost says he’s happy with how the Lightning are performing.

Scoring has been spread out, with each of the team’s nine forwards having at least two goals this season.

“I can’t recall a team that I’ve coached that is as balanced as this one are sar as offensive attack and offensive abilities,” said Rost.

“We have three lines that can put the puck in the net.”

The Lightning play the Mountainview Colts Friday, Nov. 16 and the Cochrane Generals Saturday, Nov. 17 at home.

Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

RELATED: Stettler Lightning defeat Lomond Lakers 3-1 victory

Mountainview remains in third place in the Northern Division after losing to Airdrie 3-5 Nov. 14.

The Generals have a 8-4-1 record and are fourth in the Southern Division.

Rost says with how the Lightnings’ offence and goaltending is going, they will be a contender.

“We’re on a bit of a roll right now,” said Rost.

“We aren’t overconfident, but we are confident with the way we’re playing.”

RELATED: Stettler Lightning ready for a win