HJHL Roundup - Jan. 24

Colts 7, Thunder 6 (overtime)

The intensity was at a playoff level.

The score? Not exactly.

Zane Leatherdale doesn't care as long as his club gets the two points.

The Olds product sniped the overtime winner with just 14.8 seconds left in sudden death as the Mountainview Colts edged the Airdrie Thunder 7-6.

"It's a great feeling to beat Airdrie," the 20-year-old said. "They're a strong team.

"For us to come into their barn this close to playoffs, the boys are ecstatic to get that win."

Brandon Rude scored a pair for Mountainview (17-14-3) while Josh Gette, Mitchell Visser, Travis Gerrard and Carter Layden also lit the lamp.

Jason Wenzel and Nathan Fox scored twice apiece for Airdrie (25-6-2) while Kyle Bracko and Caleb Reed chipped in with singles.

Leatherdale, who set a career-high with his 12th goal of the season, said the 13 goals on the scoreboard didn't look much like a playoff tilt.

"No, it wasn't really playoff hockey," the 5-foot-7, 135-pounder said. "Both teams were going all-offence there.

"But we're here for the playoffs. We're here until it's over."

Thunder head coach Derek Stamp agreed with Leatherdale's assessment and said the visitors were full marks for the win.

"It was ugly," Stamp said. "And we can't really expect a different result when we play that way.

"Mentally, there were some guys who had their heads in the clouds and didn't execute.

"They outworked us — plain and simple. For the better part of the game, they outworked us and they got the extra point."

The two teams will renew hostilities in Didsbury on Wednesday, but not until after the Colts host the Ponoka Stampeders on Saturday (8 p.m.) in Mountainview's annual Ride For Dad game when the club raises money to fight prostate cancer.

Bisons 5, Flyers 2

The Bisons locked up the HJHL regular-season banner.

It's all about preparing for the playoffs now.

Okotoks locked up the No. 1 seed with a win over rival High River on Friday.

Tyler Witzke potted a pair of goals and lineman Tyler Alger had a trio of assists.

League-leading scorer Tyson Scott scored and added a helper while Riker Franczak and AJ Belanger also found the back of the net for Okotoks (31-2-0).

Jakob Jefferies scored both goals for the Flyers (11-20-3), who will host Lomond next Friday (8 p.m.).

The Bisons visit Coaldale on Saturday (8:30 p.m.).