HJHL Roundup - Dec. 20

Vipers 7, Lightning 4

The Lightning got off to the start they wanted.

The final 40 minutes didn't go according to plan.

The Vipers overcame a first period deficit and, thanks to seven different scorers, skated to a 7-4 victory.

Brendan Bardwell and The Mulgrove staked the Lightning to a 2-1 lead after the first period.

But the Vipers dominated the middle period with four straight goals to head into the final frame with a 5-2 advantage.

Two more in the third boosted the visitors' lead to 7-2 before the Bolts answered with a quick pair.

Keaton Sawicki, Jarvis Gaume, Justin Paarup, Keenan Smith, Rylan Burns, Cole Hardman and Jace Paarup provided the offence for Red Deer.

Lightning general manager Trevor Wagner said the game plan slowly disintegrated.

"We came up against a team tonight that was able to get us off our game after the first period," Wagner said. "The second period set us on our heels and put us on our heels and set us on our heels. It put us in a hole we had to work to get out of.

"We made a good push in the third with a couple quick goals but got pulled into some penalties we may or may not have deserved and that killed the momentum.

"We are looking to come tomorrow with a good 60 minutes of hockey — our hockey — and get a couple of needed points to get out of our slide."

Erik Rost and James Switenky, who also had a pair of assists, also found the net for Stettler.

The Vipers outshot the Lightning 39-36.

Stettler (8-17-2) hosts Ponoka on Saturday night (7:30 p.m.).

Red Deer (14-9-0) hosts Sylvan Lake on Saturday (8 p.m.).

Thunder 7, Rams 0

The Thunder picked up steam as the game progressed.

Airdrie held a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes and then poured it on as they skated to a 7-0 win.

Jason Horn and Tyler Petrie potted a pair each while Kyle Bracko scored once and added two helpers.

Jordan McConnell and Brayden Dunn also found the net and added an assist each in the win.

Justin Fedoruk made 20 saves for the shutout for Airdrie, who pounded 61 pucks on Rocky's cage.

Thunder bench boss Derek Stamp said he's satisfied with how his 21-4-1 club has looked in the first half of the season.

"Heading into the break, we are happy with where we are and how the first part of the season went," Stamp said.

"That being said, we know our best hockey has to be in front of us.

"We will enjoy the break and be focused on the right thing when we get back to practice on Jan. 2."