Stettler Lightning suffered three consecutive defeats as the regular season draws to a close in the Junior Heritage B Hockey league, but head coach Douglas Smith is quite satisfied with his team’s performance.
The Lightning lost 5-1 to Blackfalds at home last Tuesday, Feb 1 before dropping the game against Airdrie 6-3 on the road on Friday, Feb. 4 and losing to Red Deer Vipers 5-3 the next day.
In the game against Blackfalds, the only goal for the local side was scored by Mitch Finkbiner.
In the game against Airdrie Thunders, the scorers were Brett Wold, Cam Wright and Brett Oulette.
In Red Deer goals came from Gavin Brandl, Cody Smitten and Reese Anheliger.
“Those were probably the best back-to back games we played all year,” said Smith referring to the Airdrie and Red Deer games.
“In both games I felt we did what we were supposed to do.”
“Work ethic was good but we did not get the rewards that we should have for the hard work we did.”
Smith said that he felt his team was not overwhelmed in either of the two games and that the score did not reflect the reality in either case.
“Particularly in Airdrie, we were really good in power play and we moved the puck as we wanted to,” he said.
“Our puck movement was good, and we were physical when we had to be.”
Coach Smith said despite the scores of last week, they were looking to playoffs with more confidence.
The Lightning now play their last home game on Friday, Feb. 11 against Ponoka Stampeders in Big Valley before ending the regular season with a visit to Red Deer.
In the playoff series, the Lightning travel to Red Deer for the opening game and there is no word as to when the first home game of the series is to take place.