Ponoka Midget Wespro Stampeders are well on their way to the league championship after winning their first game of the best-of-three final series against Stettler’s Midget C team in their opponents’ home arena on Sunday, March 15.
Ponoka boys opened the scoring in the first period with Braeden Korchinski putting the only number of the first period on the scoreboard in the 14th minute.
The home side launched a spectacular comeback effort in the second period after Korchinski’s second goal in the 12th minute and scored three in succession finishing the second 20 minutes with a 3-2 lead.
Stampeders, however, were not in a mood to let the opportunity slip away and as soon as the third period began, Korchinski made the statement sealing his personal hat trick. He was followed shortly by Josh Vold and Rylee DeJonge declaring the final score of the game for the Ponoka side 5-3.
Earlier, the Stampeders closed their semi-final series with Rocky Renegades with a brilliant 10-4 home victory on Thursday, March 12, when the second period of the game looked as much like an ice skating show as a hockey game. After the first period ended with a 2-1 lead for the Ponoka boys, the second period saw picture-perfect, precision execution of offensive plays by the Stampeders with esthetic moves by Ponoka players adding fun to excitement.
Lewis McDowell scored four, Lea James and Kolby Rattray added two each, with Josh Vold and Noah Spelrem completing the tally with a goal apiece.
As Ponoka News went to press Tuesday evening, March 17, Wespro Stampeders were hosting Stettler Midget B at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex in what could be the championship game of the league.