Stettler Lightning players are elated after scoring a goal in the second period taking a 4-2 lead against Red Deer Vipers during a home game Feb. 2. ECA Review/L.Joy
Stettler Lightning lost their early lead losing 8 – 6 to Red Deer Vipers during a home game Feb. 2.
“We had a penalty late in the second period and Red Deer has a very good power play so there was a minute and a half that we needed to kill and they scored and then they got some momentum and we never did quite catch them after that,” said Stettler Lightning Head Coach Rory Rost in an interview Feb. 5.
Lightning came on strong in the first period with two goals (Bryce Cornelissen from Quade Cassidy, and Erik Rost from Kieran Rost and Bryce Cornelissen).
In the second period the Red Deer Vipers scored two goals during power plays tying the score 2 – 2.
Lightning answered back with a goal by Tye Mulgrove and assists from Erik Rost and Logan Spady. Lighting scored again in a power play (Ethan Rost from Dylan Houston) taking a 4 – 2 lead.
“We had them right where we wanted them and they’re one of the top teams in the league,” said Coach Rost. “We had an opportunity to beat them and we might see them in the playoffs so it would have been nice to beat them but I think we gave them a pretty good scare.”
In the third period, the Vipers scored six goals to the Lightning’s two goals (Quade Cassidy from Dylan Houston and Ethan Rost).
“It was a little disappointing outcome but not a bad game,” said Coach Rost. “The boys never really did give up. They could have gotten down in the third period. It could have got a little more out of hand but I consider it a one goal loss.
“We pulled the goalie to try and tie it up and we had some momentum at times during the period.”
The Lightning, however, will make the playoffs with Mountainview Colts being the team they have to beat.
“We are one point behind them,” said Coach Rost. “We have had very good games against them all year. We’ve played them four or five times this year and they have all been one goal games.
“We beat them a couple or three times and they beat us a couple of times. We are very similar teams, not really big in physical but fairly fast.”
“It should be a very good, competitive series,” said Coach Rost about the upcoming playoffs.
This season, the Stettler Lightning have 14 wins, 16 losses (three OT losses) and 31 points.
On Feb. 3 Lightning trounced Three Hills Thrashers 10 – 1. The Lightning’s next home game is Feb. 9 against Ponoka Stampeders.
Lisa Joy
ECA Review
