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Lightning suffer double losses

Stettler Lightning was handed a huge loss of 8-3 by Coaldale Copperheads on Friday, Oct. 7 followed by another loss of 5-3...
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Lightning’s Matt Sylvester wrestles the puck away from opponent Coaldale player in their home game on Friday

Stettler Lightning was handed a huge loss of 8-3 by Coaldale Copperheads on Friday, Oct. 7 followed by another loss of 5-3 on Sunday, Oct. 9 by the Okotoks Bisons.

Friday's home game was swept away by Copperheads even though Lightning started the scoring first, leading 1-0 in the first few minutes. But by the end of the first period Copperheads had gone past them, leading with 3-2.

In the second period the Bolts tried their best, yet were unable to net the puck, while their opponents tore through the defence, scoring another three goals.

Lightning started off the third period 6-2, and although No.10 Matt Sylvester scored a third Lightning goal – the first two being scored by Dylan Houston – they fell short with the game ending 8-3.

"I thought Friday was probably the most disappointing effort to this point in the season," said Head Coach Gavin Brandl. "We were hemmed in our own zone for long stretches of time and most of it was our own doing, trying to force the play east and west when it wasn't available to us."

Brandl seemed disappointed that the Bolts were unable to get their act together in either of the weekend games.

"We also haven't fully grasped the concept of engaging head on from the defensive side of the puck, and when you play a team as experienced as Coaldale they will make you pay for that all night long," added Brandl.

On Sunday against the Bisons, the performance of the Bolts were no better as they fell 5-3, with the Bisons leading from the start. When Matt Sylvester scored the first goal for Lightning, the scoreboard read 2-1 briefly, before moving on to 4-1 swiftly. And even though Ethan Rost and Dawson Beck scored in the third period, it was too late.

According to Brandl, Sunday was better at times.

"We faced some adversity that maybe was a little bit out of our control at times, but I thought we took too long to rebound and get back to our game from those points of adversity," explained Brandl. "Having said all of that, I fully expected a ten game or so adjustment period as all of our new faces get a feel for the league and this level of play. So I think our development is right on track. There are far better things ahead of this group than anything we leave behind."