There is some good news on the horizon for the Ponoka Stampeders.
The team will finally get a chance to show what they can do on home ice this weekend, as the local junior B squad plays its home opener this Saturday against the High River Flyers. Game time at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex is set for 8 p.m.
The Stampeders have played four straight on the road so far, with one more game in Cochrane Oct. 7, and have yet to record a victory.
Last weekend, the Stampeders were hammered 9-2 Oct. 1 in Coaldale followed by a 9-3 loss in Medicine Hat the next day.
In Coaldale, the Stampeders just didn’t have the same tempo as the host Copperheads, demonstrated by the fact they were outshot 56-19 in the contest that included a 25-4 first period.
Special teams weren’t too much of a factor — the Stamps going just one for five on the powerplay while giving up just one goal in four penalty killing attempts.
Leeroy Laglace scored just past the midway mark of the first for Ponoka, after the hosts put up an early 3-0 lead. The other Stampeders marker came on a late third period powerplay off the stick of Jacob Sayler that made it 8-2 at that point.
The scoring summary for the Medicine Hat game was unavailable at press time.
Hoof prints: The hockey club is gearing up for their annual fundraiser and this year there is a huge local piece of entertainment. Ponoka’s own Jamie Woodfin will be the featured guest at this year’s event, set for Nov. 5 at the Kinsmen Community Centre. For the $50 ticket, you get a buffett dinner with all the trimmings complete with prime rib, chicken cordon bleu and fresh baked salmon as well as the opportunity to bid on a number of great items in the live and silent auctions. For tickets or information, call Debbie Lamey at (403) 704-6561.