HJHL Roundup: Goalie duel in Strathmore

Coaldale and Strathmore played to a defensive battle, while there were plenty of goals to go around in the other two games on Sunday.

Coaldale (2) vs. Strathmore (1)

STRATHMORE – It was Nolan Berner and the Coaldale Copperheads that picked up the two points in a goaltending duel on Sunday in Strathmore, as the Copperheads took a 2-1 win over the Wheatland Kings.

Berner stopped 31-of-32 shots on the afternoon, while Tyler Anderson’s power-play marker with 14 seconds remaining in the second period broke a 1-1 tie and would stand up as the winner for the Copperheads (19-9-2).

Isiah Day Chief had the other goal for Coaldale, which extend their winning streak to four games.

Jayden Hendricks found the back of the net for Strathmore (11-17-2), which got a sensational season-high 47-save effort out of Calum Humble.

GAME SUMMARY

Ponoka (7) vs. Medicine Hat (5)

PONOKA – Kayden Gatz scored twice in the final three minutes of the game as the Ponoka Stampeders held on for a 7-5 win over the Medicine Hat Cubs.

Walker Guthrie also added a pair of goals to the scoreboard for Ponoka (9-17-3), which have now won three straight.

Kacey Straub, Dakota Sullivan and Nate Higgins rounded out the scoring for the Stampeders, while Keenan Starkell finished with 27 saves between the pipes.

Kaiden Hodgson factored in on four of the five goals for the Cubs (11-18-1), scoring three times and adding one assist, while Matt Clement added a goal and two helpers.

Josh Breznik made 39 saves in net for Medicine Hat, while Noah Irvine chipped in with a goal and assist.

GAME SUMMARY

Okotoks (14) vs. Three Hills (1)

OKOTOKS – Nine different skaters found the back of the net as the Okotoks Bisons cruised to a 14-1 romp over the Three Hills Thrashers on Sunday afternoon.

Kyle Dunville and Josh Russo led the charge with three goals apiece, while Robbie McLean added two goals and two assists.

The Bisons (20-9-2), which have won four straight, took a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes before tacking on seven goals in the middle stanza alone.

Kyle Harrison, Brayden McFarlane, Ryan McLean, Jharin Bantugan, Bradley Whitehead and Joel Deeprose rounded out the scoring for Okotoks, which finished five-for-six on the man-advantage, along with adding a pair of shorthanded tallies.

Nicholas Ewanchuk recorded the win in goal for Okotoks, making 13 saves on the day.

Tanner Boutin had the lone goal for the Thrashers (1-27-0).

GAME SUMMARY