HJHL Roundup: Vipers win streak hits double digits

Three games came down to the final minutes on Saturday night, while the Vipers win streak hit double digits.

Ponoka (4) vs. Blackfalds (3)

PONOKA – Kieran Bulloch broke the deadlock with just seven seconds remaining in the third period as the Ponoka Stampeders prevailed with a 4-3 win over the Blackfalds Wranglers on Saturday evening.

Jacob Sayler, Walker Guthrie and Jordan Sears rounded out the scoring for the Stampeders (6-12-2), which trailed 3-1 late in the second period before firing off three unanswered to close out the game.

Taylor McLaughlin turned aside 32 shots in the Ponoka crease, recording his third win of the season in the process.

Braden Olson had two goals for the Wranglers (13-9-0), which have now lost four straight.

Landon Siegle chipped in with a goal and two assists, while Rylan Bardick took the loss between the pipes, making 34 saves on the day.

GAME SUMMARY

Red Deer (4) vs. Coaldale (3)

RED DEER – Logan Linnell fired home the winner with 2:14 to play in the third period as the Red Deer Vipers held on for a 4-3 win over the Coaldale Copperheads.

Aidan Wilson found the back of the net twice for the Vipers (18-4-1), which extended their winning streak to a league-best 10 games. Kayson Gallant rounded out the scoring.

Goals from Brandyn Howg, Levi Anderson and Gavin Burns gave the Copperheads (13-9-1) a 3-2 lead just 3:48 into the third period, but the Vipers offence was too much to contain.

Branden Bilodeau improved his record between the Red Deer pipes to 10-2-0 on the season with a 33-save effort, while Nolan Berner pushed aside 34 shots at the other end of the ice.

GAME SUMMARY

Medicine Hat (4) vs. Strathmore (3)

MEDICINE HAT – With just 31 seconds left on the clock, Matt Clement found the back of the net for the second time in the game as the Medicine Hat Cubs skated to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Strathmore Wheatland Kings.

Clement opened the scoring with the lone goal of the first period, and then closed it out with the go-ahead marker in the final minute. Noah Irvine and Kadin Hodgson also tallied for the Cubs (9-13-0), which got 23 saves from goaltender Josh Breznik.

Keenan Ogle, Ryan Grasdahl and Garret Vander Ploeg did the damage for the Wheatland Kings (10-11-2), which held a 3-2 lead early in the final frame.

Indiana Kelly made 26 saves in the loss.

GAME SUMMARY

High River (5) vs. Cochrane (3)

COCHRANE – A five-point night off the stick of Davis Sheldon powered the High River Flyers to a 5-3 road victory over the Cochrane Generals on Saturday evening.

Sheldon, who now has a trio of five-point games this season, found the back of the net twice, while also assisting on the other three High River (14-9-0) goals, scored by Josh Younter, Liam Bollivar and Connor Taylor.

Younter finished the night with a goal and two helpers, while netminder Chantz Vinck stood tall between the barber poles, making 45 saves in the game, including 19 in the middle stanza alone.

Slater Ransom had two of the goals for the Generals (14-10-1), while Christian Dees rounded out the scoring.

Cochrane goaltender Knute Loe finished with 26 saves on the night.

GAME SUMMARY

Stettler (7) vs. Mountainview (1)

STETTLER – The Mountainview Colts put the first goal on the board, but it was all Stettler after that as the Lightning cruised to a 7-1 win on home ice Saturday night.

Erik Rost led the way with a hat trick, while Kyle Ringdahl and Quade Cassidy each chipped in with a goal and assist.

Brandon Whiteford and Kieran Rost rounded out the scoring for Stettler (10-12-2), while Brett Roper picked up the win in net, stopping 24 shots along the way.

Matthew Myatt had the lone goal for the Colts (10-11-4), opening the scoring just past the midway mark of the first period.

Ethan Woodward allowed seven goals on 44 shots in the loss.

GAME SUMMARY