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High River flies past Stamps

Ponoka falls 5-2 to Flyers
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Stamps Hudson Scott watches the puck catch the net just inside the far post after his shot squeezed past the High River goaltender in the third period Oct. 26. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Despite the never-give-up-attitude and several quality scoring chances, the Ponoka Stampeders suffered their fourth straight loss on the weekend.

The High River Flyers came to town and managed to score three unanswered goals in the middle stanza to take the game 5-2 on Oct. 26.

Stamps head coach and general manager Mike Nesbitt stated the players worked well on cycling the puck in the High River zone, leading to some scoring opportunities, but that those chances were fewer than the team has seen in previous games.

“Things were good offensively, but defensively we were somewhat disorganized at times,” he said.

“We need to turn things around quickly and are hoping for better results against Sylvan Lake.”

Carson Bear opened the game with a goal six minutes into the first to hand Ponoka what would be its only lead of the night.

High River would tie it late in the first then find the twine behind Stamps netminder Austin Nesbitt in the second, the first coming less than five minutes gone in the frame. That was followed with another at the 12 minute mark, then a powerplay goal with less than two minutes remaining in the period.

Ponoka would eventually cut the lead in half just past the midway point of the third on a goal by Hudson Scott, but that would be erased a short time later by the Flyers with about four minutes left.

The Stamps powerplay, while nabbing a few good scoring chances, were stymied by the Flyers stifling penalty killing unit, leaving Ponoka 0 for 5 on the night. Meanwhile, the shot clock saw the visitors out shooting the Stamps 42-38.

Home sweet home — Ponoka will face the new look Wranglers from Sylvan Lake for the first time on Oct. 30 (game time 7:30 p.m.) in the second of a three-game homestand. The Stamps, with a record of 4-4-1 and sitting third with nine points, are just a point ahead of Sylvan, Red Deer and Stettler in the North division standings.

The final game of the homestand goes Nov. 2 (8:45 p.m. puck drop) as the Stamps take on North division leading Airdrie, before heading south on Nov. 3 in Okotoks.

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Ponoka’s Ethan Yellowbird looks to get this pass to the front of the High River net as teammate Bailey Nesbitt heads toward the goal. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
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Devin Anderson of the Stamps sees this great third period scoring chance denied by High River’s Davyn LaRocke. Photo by Jordie Dwyer