HJHL Roundup: Busy Saturday sees tight matchups

Four games were decided by just one goal on a busy, six-game Saturday across the HJHL.

Ponoka (4) vs. Blackfalds (3)

PONOKA – The Ponoka Stampeders converted on all three shootout attempts as they took a 4-3 win over the Blackfalds Wranglers on Saturday evening.

Shae Reynolds, Jordan Sears and Nate Higgins were all successful in the shootout, while Kayden Gatz, Gunnar Keith and Kacey Straub found the back of the net in regulation or the Stampeders (8-17-3), which have now won two straight.

Landon Siegle, Zane Bennett and Austin Wilson replied for the Wranglers (16-11-2), which got 30 saves from netminder Rylan Bardick.

Ponoka goaltender Taylor McLaughlin turned aside 43 shots to record the victory.

GAME SUMMARY

Medicine Hat (5) vs. High River (4)

HIGH RIVER – Noah Irvine scored three times and setup another as the Medicine Hat Cubs upended the High River Flyers by a score of 5-4.

Josh Breznik eclipsed the 50-save mark for the second time this season, finishing with 51 saves in net for Medicine Hat (11-17-1), while Cody Riehl and Kian Simonson each found the back of the net once, rounding out the scoring.

Egor Sinko, Josh Younker, Devon Barlow and Connor Taylor provided the offence for the Flyers (17-12-3), while Connor McCarroll finished with 37 saves between the pipes.

The game went back and forth with five different lead changes, while being tied at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4.

GAME SUMMARY

Red Deer (5) vs. Airdrie (4)

RED DEER – Declan Johnston scored three times, including the game winner 1:23 into overtime, to lift the Red Deer Vipers to a 5-4 win over the Airdrie Thunder.

Mack Differenz and Logan Linnell each finished with a goal and assist for the Vipers (24-5-1), which extend their winning streak to six games, and their lead on the North Division crown to five points.

Branden Bilodeau made a season-high 42 saves in the Red Deer crease.

Jacob MacDonald, Rylan Plante-Crough, Clay Murray and Matt Thomson had the goals for Airdrie (20-7-4), which trailed 4-1 late in the second period before mounting the comeback to force the extra frame.

Ryan Simpson stopped 24 shots in the loss.

GAME SUMMARY

Okotoks (4) vs. Strathmore (2)

STRATHMORE – A three-point outing from Tyler Bordt propelled the Okotoks Bisons to a 4-2 win over the Strathmore Wheatland Kings.

Bordt scored once and added two assists, while Kyle Harrison, Hunter Maximnuk and Taylor McNeill each finished with a goal and assist as the Bisons (19-9-2) scored twice in the final frame after finding themselves tied at two after 40 minutes.

Devin Reagan made 33 saves in goal for the Bisons, picking up his 15th win of the season.

Cole Busslinger and Bradley Tingey had the goals for the Wheatland Kings (11-16-2), which held a 35-32 lead in shots.

Indiana Kelly suffered the loss between the pipes, stopping 28 shots in the process.

GAME SUMMARY

Coaldale (8) vs. Three Hills (2)

THREE HILLS – Jedd Horvath had a hat trick as the Coaldale Copperheads cruised to an 8-2 win over the Three Hills Thrashers.

Tyler Anderson and Chase Williamson each finished with two-goal, one-assist performances, while Brandon Langridge rounded out the Coaldale (18-9-2) attack with a goal and assist.

Andrew Suriano picked up the win between the pipes, stopping 16-of-18 shots along the way.

Alex Jones made 35 saves for Strathmore (11-16-2), while Chad Armstrong and Marshall Wilson provided the offence.

Coaldale scored five times in the opening frame to take a 5-1 lead after 20 minutes.

GAME SUMMARY

Mountainview (5) vs. Stettler (4)

DIDSBURY – Story to come..

GAME SUMMARY