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Lowly Bears shut out struggling Lightning

The slumping Stettler Lightning suffered three losses in as many games last week in the Heritage Junior Hockey League.

The slumping Stettler Lightning suffered three losses in as many games last week in the Heritage Junior Hockey League.

The Lightning lost 3-0 to the lowly Banff Bears on Sunday, after suffering 4-3 losses to the Three Hills Thrashers on Friday and the Blackfalds Wranglers last Tuesday.

After winning its opening two games this season, Stettler has gone 1-12-0-1 in its past 14 games.

At the Banff Hockey Academy, the Bears spoiled Mack Schell’s junior B debut in the Stettler net.

Banff captain Dylan Robertson scored two goals, including an empty-netter with 33 seconds left. Givi Shepotko had the other goal against the rookie Schell, whose 28 stops included 11 saves in the scoreless first period.

Bruno Novotny recorded 24 saves for Banff (2-12-1-1) in the penalty-filled game.

The Lightning lost forward Jacob Schwarzenberger in the second period because of a checking-from-behind infraction and a game misconduct.

At Three Hills, defenceman Tristan Cunningham scored the winning goal on a power play with 5:31 left as the Thrashers ran their 9-5-0-1.

Jacob Hamel of Stettler scored the opening goal for Three Hills, while the Lightning got goals from Scott Ternes, Landon Potter and Kyler O’Connor.

Coleman Waddell blocked 31 shots for Stettler. Three Hills goalie Brady Hoover made 30 saves.

At home last Tuesday, the Lightning fought back with two goals in as many minutes to pull into a 3-3 tie with the Wranglers. Blackfalds, however, replied with Jason Bell’s winning goal at 10:07, just 23 seconds after Blake Frechette’s equalizer. Bell had two goals and an assist on the night to lead the Wranglers (11-2-2-0).

Frechette and Reese Anheliger each had a goal and an assist for the Lightning, whose other goal came from Potter.

Waddell registered 37 saves against Blackfalds, the top team in the Northern Division. Thomas Isaman blocked 29 shots for the Wranglers.

Up next for the Lightning is a home game Saturday night against the Cochrane Generals (4-9-2-0). Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Stettler Recreation Centre.

The Lightning wrap up this month’s schedule with a Nov. 30 home game against the Mountainview Colts (7-10-1-0).

— Independent