By Carson Ellis
For the Stettler Independent
Stettler managed to keep the puck in the Outlaws’ end for most of the first period, but the Outlaws made them work for it and kept the Imperials goalie moving when they managed to get it out.
Outlaws Zach Fernandez took a slashing penalty near the end of the period. Imperial Brendan Bardwell took a hooking penalty shortly afterward. Delburne would accumulate both tripping and holding penalties within a few minutes of each other.
Both teams’ goalies managed to keep on top of things and kept the first period without a single goal. The Imperials had 13 shots on net while the Outlaws had eight.
Second-period play started with both teams fast on the draw. Imperials’ Cody Wright was called for interference within a few minutes. Imperials would have the advantage after a while with a hooking call against the Outlaws.
Despite this, the Outlaws managed to push through with Quentin Greenwood making the first goal of the game. Play hardly had time to resume when Imperials’ Adam Ternes managed to tie the game. Ternes’ goal was assisted by Brett Muhlbach and Riley Turre.
Imperials’ Brendan Tucker then took a roughing penalty. Outlaw Bryce Cornelissen would also be called for hooking.
As the period wound down, the Imperials managed a second goal before the clock could run down in a shot from Devon Shanks and an assist from Muhlbach.
The Outlaws opened the third period with an early goal by Colten Zemlak and an assist by Bryce Cornelissen. The third period found more back-and-forth play than before, and both goalies still managed to stay alert. Imperials’ Alex DeYoung would manage his first goal of the season. The Imperials’ goal was assisted by Erik Rost and Quade Cassidy. Outlaws were quick to recover, and Kyle Ringdahl answered promptly with a goal assisted by Jamie Waldo and Hudson Scott.
The third period would conclude with both teams tied and the Imperials outshooting the Outlaws with 42 shots on goal compared to 34.
Overtime began promptly with both teams pushing hard. Imperials had lost previously to Irma Aces, and as four-on-four play began, were certainly hoping not to repeat. However, the Outlaws managed to take control of the puck after only a few moments of play, and the winning goal was made by #8.
The loss drops Stettler to fourth place with 20 points for the season.
Stettler is back in action on Feb. 9 when they face off at home against the Hughendon Jets, with puck drop set for 8 p.m.
