Though not yet adding a second win to their season record, the Ponoka Junior B Stampeders continue to close the gap with their opponents, showing they have what it takes to be competitive in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL).
The Stampeders hosted the Red Deer Vipers on Friday night, Jan. 3, putting up a good fight against the team ranked third in the north division, but ultimately being defeated 4-1.
Being outshot 13 to 5 in the first period, the Stampeders nevertheless held their ground with No. 31 Jaxon Schmaltz in goal, shutting out the Vipers and ending the period 0-0.
Red Deer opened the scoring, with goals from Ethan Lemke and Mason Hammerback.
Ponoka cut the deficit later in the period, with Brayden Norem scoring at 15:32, assisted by Brendon Harnack and Nathan Bernhardt.
Sparks flew to end the second, with Kohen Rea of the Vipers earning a five-minute major for goalie interference, along with a game misconduct. Stampeders Hudson Cocks was also sent off for charging, as well as two and a game misconduct for head contact.
Mason Hastings and Ryder MacLeod scored for Red Deer in the third to round out the scoring.
Illness hurt their chances with four of their six defencemen out with a flu, leaving some of their leading point players on offence to play double duty, explained Stampeders coach and general manager Trevor Sigfusson.
"The Vipers are a greatly improved hockey team," said Sigfusson. "There's nothing to hang our heads about, losing to them."
Although a defeat, the game was still a victory of sorts, as the Stamps' last match up with the Vipers on Dec. 7 was a 10-3 blowout loss. The scores over the last four weeks tell a different story, with the Stampeders gradually closing the gap.
"We've been very consistent on positional play," said Sigfusson, adding it's been paying dividends and helping them stay in the game.
"The last seven games or so I'd say we're getting closer to where we want to be."
He added that teams that "ran roughshod" over them earlier in the season are no longer finding it so easy.
Ponoka played the Coaldale Copperheads the next day, Sunday, Jan. 5, at home, and lost 6-2 to the visiting team.
Norem was again the first to score for the Stampeders, with the Copperheads tying up the first period 1-1.
Things got away from the Stamps in the second period, with the Copperheads scoring four times, two of which were on powerplays.
"We kind of let our guard down for one period and it made the game," said Sigfusson, adding there's no weak team in the league and if you "open a hole" they'll take advantage.
Coaldale added another goal 5:08 into the second, before a memorable moment for Ponoka.
Stampders Karter Simpson notched his first career HJHL goal on the power play with 8:42 left in the game.
"We've got a really young squad obviously," said Sigfusson, adding the team has 15 rookies that are brand new to junior hockey.
Entering the season this fall, they felt they had a team that could compete, and they're getting stronger with experience as they gain confidence and believe in their systems, he said.
Having a young team, Sigfusson said they sat down their goalies at the beginning of the year and said they would be outshot by their opponents, and they needed to be mentally, as well as physically, prepared for that.
"They've done everything we've asked of them," said Sigfusson.
He said the team is showing promise, and the management is pleased with their progress and effort.
"They're learning as they go," said Sigfusson. "They're having to mature pretty darn quick."
Sigfusson said the Stamps "dig in," don't complain, and don't let up until the last whistle.
"That's all you can ask."
The Stampeders play in Airdrie on Jan. 10 and in Rocky Mountain House on Jan. 11.
Their next home game will be on Friday, Jan. 17 against the Rocky Rams. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
