HJHL Roundup: December 1

Four games were decided by just one goal, including three in overtime, highlighting one of the most exciting days of the HJHL season on Saturday.

Red Deer Vipers (5) – Airdrie Thunder (4)

RED DEER – Justin Anderson made 38 saves as the Red Deer Vipers held on for a 5-4 victory over the Airdrie Thunder, extending their winning streak to 10 games.

Five different goal scorers found the back of the net for the Vipers (15-5-1), but the most important goal of the night was off the stick of Mack Differenz, who broke a 4-4 tie with 7:01 remaining in the third period.

Lane Sim, Elijah Johnson, Justin Pearup and Keenan Smith rounded out the offence for Red Deer.

Brett LeGrandeur and Jason Wenzel each scored twice for the Thunder (22-2-0), while Jordan McConnell and Cooper Page each finished with three assists.

Jackson Little made 28 saves in the loss.

BOXSCORE

Mountainview Colts (4) – Stettler Lightning (3)

DIDSBURY – Trevor Simpson was the overtime hero as the Mountainview Colts were 4-3 winners over the Stettler Lightning.

Ethan Woodward stopped 36-of-39 shots faced in the Mountainview (12-7-1) crease, registering his 10th victory of the season along the way.

Mitchell Visser, Matthew Myatt and Quintin Thorburn each scored on the man-advantage in regulation for the Colts.

Logan Spady had two of the goals for the Lightning (10-9-2), while Drew Cassidy rounded out the scoring.

Indiana Kelly turned aside 36 shots in a losing effort.

BOXSCORE

Ponoka Stampeders (5) – Strathmore Wheatland Kings (4)

STRATHMORE – A three-goal performance off the stick of Ryan Harder, including the game-winner 1:33 into overtime, propelled the Ponoka Stampeders to a thrilling 5-4 win over the Strathmore Wheatland Kings.

Braden Klessens led all skaters with a four-point night, scoring once and adding three assists for the Stampeders (6-11-2), which have now won four straight contests.

Wade Lightburn rounded out the attack, adding a goal and two assists, while netminder Brandon Clark made 42 saves to register the victory, his fourth of the season.

Parker Keer, Rylee Hebert, Lucas Muenchrath and Eric Sandum replied for the Wheatland Kings (11-9-2), which got a 28-save game out of Riley Stovka.

BOXSCORE

High River Flyers (2) – Cochrane Generals (1)

COCHRANE – Chantz Vinck stood on his head, making 56 saves on the night as the High River Flyers edged the Cochrane Generals by a 2-1 score.

Trailing 1-0 late in the third period, Josh Russo found the equalizer for the Flyers (9-14-2), while Kyle Hartle was the overtime hero, ending the game with 1:11 remaining in the extra frame.

Braden Bain had the lone goal of the game for the Generals (11-6-2), which got 33 saves from netminder Erik Garber.

BOXSCORE

Coaldale Copperheads (6) – Lomond Lakers (1)

COALDALE – Riese Nevil had three goals as the Coaldale Copperheads skated to a 6-1 win over the Lomond Lakers.

Nevil opened the scoring with a shorthanded marker midway through the first period and then made it a two-goal game with another shorthanded goal just over four minutes later.

Levi Anderson and Ty Abbott extended the Coaldale (17-3-2) lead to a 4-0 after 40 minutes, while Tyler Anderson, along with Nevil’s hat-trick goal, found the back of the net in the final frame.

Broc Merkl stopped 33-of-34 shots faced in the blue paint for the Copperheads, which have now won five straight games.

Gavin Burns had the lone goal of the game for the Lakers (5-17-0).

BOXSCORE

Medicine Hat Cubs (13) – Three Hills Thrashers (0)

THREE HILLS – Cooper Hilworth found the back of the net five times as the Medicine Hat Cubs rolled to a 13-0 win over the Three Hills Thrashers.

Brett Vanderveer stopped all 19 shots he faced to record his first career HJHL shutout, while Noah Irvine had a game-high six points, scoring twice and setting up four others.

Grant Forbes finished with two goals and one assist, Chandler Aleman and Desmond Crawford each had a goal and three assists, while Mackenzie Fritzler added a goal and two assists.

Tristan Stensrud rounded out the Medicine Hat (8-10-2) attack with a single.

The Thrashers (1-19-1) have now lost 12 straight games.

BOXSCORE