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Lightning bounce back at home

After hitting rock-bottom in November, the Stettler Lightning have opened December with a bang.

After hitting rock-bottom in November, the Stettler Lightning have opened December with a bang.

The Lightning have won three of their past four games, including a pair of home-ice victories on the weekend.

They clipped the Coaldale Copperheads 5-1 on Saturday night at the Stettler Recreation Centre, after topping the Three Hills Thrashers 5-2 on Friday night.

In Saturday’s win, the Lightning got goals from Connor Doucette, Gavin Brandl, Kyler O’Connor, Cody Wright and Lyle Wooden, and two assists each from Adam Ternes and Jacob Schwarzenberger.

Stettler goaltender Simon Thieleman made 24 saves, one more than Coaldale counterpart Blake Carey. Ty Odland, with the lone first-period goal, scored for the Copperheads before the Lightning struck for four goals in the second period.

In a penalty-filled game Friday, Stettler knocked off Three Hills on home ice for the second time this season.

Landon Potter tallied twice for the Lightning, while O’Connor contributed a goal and two assists. Doucette and Blake Frechette also scored for Stettler, and Thieleman tended goal.

Michael Neumeier, who played midget hockey in Stettler last season, scored a power-play goal for Three Hills. Cam Braun was the Thrashers’ other scorer, while Tristan Cunningham assisted on both goals.

Each team was charged with four misconduct penalties in the latest battle of rivals.

At home last Tuesday, the Lightning lost 2-1 to the Red Deer Vipers. Cole DeGraaf scored the winner with 1:38 left.

Thieleman, who blocked 26 shots on the night, had held the Vipers scoreless until Kolton Gillett scored at 12:57 period of the third period.

Frechette’s power-play goal in the first period had given Stettler a 1-0 lead.

The Lightning fired 35 shots at Brenden Madrusiak.

Stettler, with a 6-14-1 record, remains sixth in the seven-team Northern Division with 13 points, five fewer than the No. 5 Mountainview Colts (8-13-2).

The Lightning have an excellent opportunity to close the gap tonight when they visit the last-place Ponoka Stampeders (1-21-0), who are 11 points back of Stettler.

On Saturday night at Red Deer Arena, the Lightning  face off against the Vipers(11-1-7), who are coming off a 7-2 road loss on Sunday against the league-leading Okotoks Bisons.

Stettler’s next home game is Dec. 21 against Red Deer (23-2-1).