HJHL Roundup: November 24

Two overtimes and three one-goal games in total highlighted an exciting six-game Saturday across the HJHL.

Red Deer Vipers (7) – Blackfalds Wranglers (6)

RED DEER – Brody Kalinowski was the overtime hero, scoring the game-winner 2:47 into the extra frame to propel the Red Deer Vipers to a 7-6 win over the Blackfalds Wranglers.

It was a back-and-forth affair as the teams found themselves deadlocked at 3-3 after 20 minutes and 4-4 going into the final frame.

Kalinowski finished with a goal and two assists on the evening, as did teammate Mack Differenz, while Keaton Sawicki found the back of the net twice.

Austin Thorne, Austin Gallant and Jacksyn Goodall rounded out the Red Deer (13-5-1) attack.

Taite Opdendries, Kyle Imesch and Austin Kalev each scored in the first period for Blackfalds (4-8-5), while Tyler Bell added a second-period marker.

Bronson Spearing found the back of the net in the third period for the Wranglers, while Braden Olsen extended the game as he potted the equalizer with just eight seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

Lane Brann made 35 saves in the loss for Blackfalds.

Justin Travis made 10 saves in 25 minute of relief work to record the win between the pipes for Red Deer, which have now won eight straight.

BOXSCORE

Medicine Hat Cubs (3) – Stettler Lightning (2)

MEDICINE HAT – Brett Vanderveer made 39 saves as the Medicine Hat Cubs held on for a thrilling 3-2 win over the Stettler Lightning.

Trailing 2-1 entering the third period, Cooper Hilworth scored shorthanded to pull the Cubs (7-10-2) even, while just under three minutes later, Tavin Straub scored the go-ahead goal.

Tavin Stadnicki rounded out the Medicine Hat attack, opening the scoring with a power-play marker early in the first period.

Brenden Tucker and Ethan Rost provided the offence for Stettler (10-8-0), while Indiana Kelly stopped 27-of-30 shots faced between the pipes.

BOXSCORE

Strathmore Wheatland Kings (6) – Mountainview Colts (5)

STRATHMORE – Isaac Benoit scored twice, including the game-winner 1:29 into overtime, as the Strathmore Wheatland Kings were 6-5 winners over the Mountainview Colts.

Lucas Muenchrath and Garrett Vander Ploeg each finished with a goal and two assists for the Wheatland Kings (11-7-1), while Kyle Bracko and Parker Keer rounded out the scoring.

Erran Thompson, Reed Engman, Wyatt Gelinas, Mitchell Visser and Zane Leatherdale replied for Mountainview (11-7-1).

BOXSCORE

Coaldale Copperheads (6) – High River Flyers (0)

COALDALE – Jayden Bexte found the back of the net twice as the Coaldale Copperheads blanked the High River Flyers by a 6-0 score.

Jason Creighton, Brandyn Howg, Jayden Smith and Jared Bainbridge rounded out the scoring for Coaldale (15-3-2), while goaltender Nolan Berner recorded his third shutout of the season, stopping all seven shots he faced.

The story of the game was in the High River (8-13-2) crease as Chantz Vinck stood on his head stopping 72 shots on the night, including 31 in the first period alone and then 22 in the middle stanza.

BOXSCORE

Airdrie Thunder (8) – Cochrane Generals (4)

COCHRANE – Jordan McConnell and Rylan Plante-Crough each scored three times as the Airdrie Thunder took an 8-4 win over the Cochrane Generals.

McConnell led all skaters with six points, adding three assists to his hat trick, while Plante-Crough finished with one assist for four points.

Jacob MacDonald and Caleb Reed rounded out the Airdrie (21-1-0) scoring, while Jason Wenzel chipped in with four assists.

Jackson Little picked up the win in goal, making 27 saves along the way.

BOXSCORE

Ponoka Stampeders (8) – Three Hills Thrashers (2)

PONOKA – Kieran Bulloch and Kacey Straub each scored twice as the Ponoka Stampeders rallied to an 8-2 win over the Three Hills Thrashers.

Ponoka (3-11-2) scored eight unanswered goals in the final two periods after trailing 2-0 after 20 minutes.

Isaiah Deschamps-Cross added a goal and two assists, while Ryan Harder, David Marcynuik and Devin Anderson each chipped in with a single. Braden Klessens finished with three assists.

Kennan Starkell recorded his first win of the season in the Ponoka crease, stopping 21 shots on the night.

Kevin Schrock scored both goals for the Thrashers (1-18-0).

BOXSCORE