HJHL Roundup: Pair of one-goal thrillers highlight Saturday

A pair of one-goal thrillers highlighted a busy five-game Saturday night across the HJHL.

Cochrane (3) vs. Strathmore (2)

COCHRANE – A exciting second period provided all the offence the game would see as the Cochrane Generals held on for a 3-2 win over the Strathmore Wheatland Kings.

After a scoreless first period, Austin Keller and Talus Hume each found the back of the net in the first half of the middle stanza, making it a 2-0 Cochrane (18-11-1) lead.

Kody Hammond and Jayden Hendricks quickly replied for the Wheatland Kings (11-14-2), however just over two minutes later, Colton Wong would restore the Generals lead and make it a 3-2 game.

Knute Loe stopped 23-of-25 shots in the Cochrane crease, while his counterpart at the other end of the ice, Calum Humble, finished with 33 saves.

GAME SUMMARY

Ponoka (6) vs. Stettler (5)

PONOKA – Kacey Straub fired home the winner in the final minute as the Ponoka Stampeders pulled off a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Stettler Lightning.

Walker Guthrie finished the night with a pair of goals for Ponoka (6-16-3), while Jordan Sears registered a goal and two helpers. Taite Opdendries and Brendan Scott rounded out the scoring for the Stampeders.

Stettler (11-13-3) held a 5-4 lead with less than five minutes to play, however Guthrie knotted the score at five, then Straub put the Stampeders in front with just 52 seconds remaining.

Keenan Starkell stopped 40-of-45 shots between the pipes for Ponoka.

Quade Cassidy had a goal and two helpers to lead the charge for the Lightning, while Dylan Houston, Logan Spady, Braydon Whiteford and Kieran Rost each added a single.

Brett Roper made 30 saves in the loss.

GAME SUMMARY

Coaldale (5) vs. High River (2)

COALDALE – Five different players found the back of the net as the Coaldale Copperheads used a balanced attack to take a 5-2 victory over the High River Flyers on Saturday evening.

Jayden Smith scored the lone goal of the first period, giving Coaldale (17-9-2) the 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, while Brandon Langridge and Chase Williamson extended the lead with second period markers.

Sam Paskuski and Brandyn Howg rounded out the offence for the Copperheads, which got 24 saves from netminder Andrew Suriano.

Davis Sheldon and Devon Barlow had the goals for High River (17-11-3), both coming in the final frame.

Chantz Vinck made a season high 54 saves in net for the Flyers, marking the second straight start he has reached the 50-save plateau.

GAME SUMMARY

Red Deer (8) vs. Three Hills (1)

RED DEER – Two-goal performances from Logan Linnell and Aidan Wilson propelled the Red Deer Vipers to an 8-1 win over the Three Hills Thrashers.

Mack Differenz led all skaters with four points, scoring once and setting up three others, while Declan Johnston, Tristyn Zarubiak and Dalton Angeltvedt rounded out the scoring for the Vipers (21-5-1), which scored five times in the middle stanza after finding themselves tied 1-1 after 20 minutes.

Cole Sears picked up win number 10 on the season between the pipes for Red Deer, making 11 saves on the night.

Kevin Schrook had the lone goal for the Thrashers (1-24-0).

GAME SUMMARY

Okotoks (11) vs. Medicine Hat (4)

MEDICINE HAT – Nicholas Murrell had a hat trick as the Okotoks Bisons rolled to an 11-4 win over the Medicine Hat Cubs.

Jason Horn also finished with a multi-goal night for the Bisons (17-9-2) as he found the back of the net twice.

Joshua McCulloch and Brennan Fuoco each finished with a goal and three helpers, while Taylor McNeill, Jharin Bantugan, Josh Russo and Bryan Weber all got in on the action, each finding the back of the net.

Okotoks led 4-0 after 20 minutes and 6-2 heading into a third period that would see them tack on five more.

Kanen Krushel, Noah Irvine, Mackenzie Fritzler and Tristan Stensrud replied for the Cubs (10-17-1).

Nicholas Ewanchuk picked up the win between the pipes for the Bisons, stopping 31 shots on the night.

GAME SUMMARY