HJHL Roundup: New Southern Division leader emerges

The 2018 portion of the HJHL season got underway on Friday and a new Southern Division leader has emerged.

Coaldale (5) vs. Cochrane (2)

COCHRANE – Sam Paskuski scored twice as the Coaldale Copperheads used a four-goal final period to come from behind and take a 5-2 win over the Cochrane Generals.

Isiah Day Chief and Riese Nevil each finished with a goal and assist, while Gavin Burns rounded out the scoring for Coaldale (15-9-1), which trailed 2-1 entering the third period. Paskuski found the equalizer 6:19 into the frame, while Day Chief put them ahead with 3:52 remaining.

Jordan Fisher and Scott Shugg had the goals for Cochrane (15-11-1), which got 21 saves from netminder Erik Garber.

Andrew Suriano picked up his sixth win of the season between the pipes for Coaldale, stopping 23 shots along the way.

GAME SUMMARY

High River (7) vs. Okotoks (4)

HIGH RIVER – Davis Sheldon scored twice and setup two more as the High River Flyers took over the top spot in the South Division with a 7-4 win over the Okotoks Bisons.

Michael McTighe added a pair of goals for the Flyers (16-10-3), which surpass the Bisons by one spot in the division, with Okotoks having three games in-hand.

Connor Minchin, Josh Marsellus and Josh Younker rounded out the High River attack, each finding the back of the net once, while adding one assist.

Jason Horn, Brennan Fuoco, Nicholas Murrell and Kyle Harrison has the goals for Okotoks (16-8-2), which surrendered three goals in each of the final two periods, as Devin Reagan suffered the loss between the barber poles, making 38 saves on the night.

Dylan Jensen improved to 8-6-0 in the Flyers’ crease this season, stopping 38-of-42 shots fired his way.

GAME SUMMARY

Airdrie (8) vs. Ponoka (2)

AIRDRIE – Three goals and two assists off the stick of Clay Murray propelled the Airdrie Thunder to an 8-2 win over the Ponoka Stampeders.

Murray opened the scoring with the first two goals of the evening, while adding his hat trick goal 13 seconds into the final frame.

Andrew McLennan chipped in with two goals and one assist, while Jared Bainbridge also had a three-point night, scoring once and setting up two more.

Jacob MacDonald and Matt Thomson each had a goal and assist, rounding out the Thunder (19-6-2) scoring.

Jordan Jacobi and Taite Opendries replied for Ponoka (7-13-2), both goals coming in the later half of the third period, breaking the shutout bid for Thunder goaltender C.J. Wedenig, who finished with 35 saves.

GAME SUMMARY

Red Deer (3) vs. Three Hills (2)

THREE HILLS – Mack Differenz’s third period marker proved to be the difference as the Red Deer Vipers held on for a 3-2 win over the Three Hills Thrashers on Friday.

Kayson Gallant and Aidan Wilson had the other Red Deer (19-5-1) goals, while Cole Sears stopped 15-of-17 shots in net, improving his record to 9-3-0 on the season.

Ryan Spiller and Cooper Cheshire each found the back of the net for Three Hills (1-23-0), which got a sensational 57-save performance from goaltender Klay Munro, marking his second straight 50-plus save performance, and sixth of the season.

GAME SUMMARY