By Emily Jaycox
For the Independent
After losing their last four games by one point each, the Lightning Junior B hockey team could use a lucky break, says Head Coach Rory Rost.
“To come out of these four games with two points is a bit disappointing,” said Rost.
In each game, there were shots on net that hit crossbars or other missed opportunities, says Rost.
“They’re working hard, they’re just not getting a break.”
The Lightning lost 2-3 to Medicine Hat Nov. 24 and 3-4 to Blackfalds Nov. 27.
Their home game against the Red Deer Vipers in Big Valley Nov. 30 went into OT and the Lightning lost 3-4.
The Vipers had a 2-0 lead on the Lightning after the first period.
Red Deer got another goal in the beginning of the second period, but the Lightning then took over the game, scoring three consecutive goals to tie up the game going into the third.
READ MORE: Stettler Lightning defeats Coaldale Copperheads in nailbiter
Goals were scored by No. 4 Quade Cassidy, No. 11 Erik Rost, and No. 13 Jeff Ternes.
Things got heated in the third period, with a fight breaking out, and neither team finding the back of the net.
The game went into double overtime and was finally decided by a shoutout after five shooters.
“It was a pretty exciting game … it had a little bit of everything.”
On the road, Stettler lost 3-4 to Mountain View Dec. 1.
The game went into double overtime and was determined by a shootout.
“To lose to them in a shootout was very tough, but on the other hand, we’re pleased with the effort.”
The first period was back-and-forth play, with the Lightning getting first blood with a goal from No. 19 Logan Spady.
The Colts returned with a goal, and Spady scored again to bring the Lightning ahead, but the Colts tied up the score 2-2 at the end of the first period.
Each team had one goal in the second period, with No. 5 Drew Cassidy scoring for Stettler.
The third period was a shutout, sending the game into overtime.
No. 3 Tyler Wagner racked up 14 penalty minutes and No. 9 Rylee Jacobson spent 18 minutes in the bin for fighting and other infractions.
With the two OTL points, there is just a three-point gap between Stettler and the third-place Mountain View.
The Lightning will have another chance against the Vipers Friday, Dec. 7 at home.
“It should be a feisty game.”
READ MORE: Stettler Junior B Lightning put away another win
They then play the Three Hill Thrashers on home ice Dec. 8. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.