By Carson Ellis
For the Stettler Independent
Stettler Imperials played host to the Sedgwick Sabres for their Nov. 18 home game.
The Sabres opened the first period with a penalty, with the Imperials’ first penalty following shortly after. The Sabre’s Keaton Holinaty got the first goal of the game with assistance from Kohl Forster and Kyle Sanders.
Gameplay quickly picked up for both teams and there was plenty of action up and down the ice. Sabre Clay Lang got the team’s second goal with assists by Keaton Holinaty and Chase Schatschneider. The second goal came with 7 minutes remaining in the period. By the end of the first, the Sabres held a two-nothing lead with shots on goal equal at 12.
The Imperials managed a goal early in the second period. Rhett Shingoose managed to get the puck in at just under the 19-minute mark, with an assist from Claye Spady. The goal was also Shingoose’s first of the season.
The Sabres answered back a few minutes later with a goal from Forster. Forster’s goal was made with assists from Spencer McClements and another player, bringing the score to 3-1 for the Sedgwick club.
Both teams managed to keep the puck moving fairly quickly. Each team taking penalties. Sabres Derek Chevraux was called for tripping while Imperials Kistner earned a penalty for high sticking.
During the second intermission, Cody Niehaus held the winning ticket for a chance at the Imperials’ $10,000 shootout, but was unsuccessful. Despite this, he was cheered on by the hometown crowd for his effort.
Both the Sabres and the Imperials pushed hard during the third period. Multiple shots on goal were stopped by their respective goalies. The Imperials received several penalties in fairly quick succession of each other. While the Sabres managed to keep their infractions down.
The third period, although hard-fought, was scoreless and the Sabres managed to hold onto their two-point lead with a final score of three-to-one.
