Stettler Lightning bounced back last Saturday, Nov. 27 to defeat Medicine Hat Cubs 4-2 in an away game, boosting their morale after two consecutive losses on home ice, first 4-2 to Blackfalds Wranglers on Tuesday, Nov. 23 and then 11-1 to Okotoks Bisons on Friday, Nov. 26.
In Tuesday’s game, the Lightning failed to stop the Wranglers from imposing their game plan and pace in the first two periods, when the visitors found rather easy opportunities to score. The Wranglers led 3-0 as the third period got underway. The Lightning began to show signs of life early in the third period and scored their first goal in the sixth minute through Myles Rindal in power play. But it took only three minutes for the Wranglers to respond, making the score 4-1. A second goal, again in power play by Ryan Staal in the 13th minute came as too little to late to save the game.
On Friday, the Lightning defense literally collapsed in the second period in the face of successive wave of attacks by Bisons offense, who scored seven of their 11 total goals in the second period.
But on Saturday, the Lightning appeared to have found their form again when they overpowered Medicine Hat Cubs on their turf.
Reese Anheliger and Kyler O’Connor scored two goals each to secure the most needed two points of the week.
Lightning head coach Doug Smith said their road games generally turned out to see better execution of game plays.
“The players spend two, three hours together on the bus when they can talk and discuss plays,” said Smith.
“But when it is a home game, they just finish work and drive to the rink and get dressed for the game in a rush.”
With regard to Friday’s heavy loss against the Bisons, “everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong in that game,” said Smith.
“It started out so good but it deteriorated in a hurry.”
In terms of the rest of the regular season, Smith agreed that they would have to put together an effective run to be able to place first or second in their division for a good match-up in the first round of the playoffs.
“It is going to be a major feat to be able to do that this year,” said Smith.
“But we just need to focus on the next game as it comes along.”
The Lightning now take on Coaldale Copperheads on home ice on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7.30 and travel to Okotoks the next day “to take revenge,” as coach Smith put it.