A pair of overtime wins have put the Ponoka Stampeders on the right trail after a slow start.
The Stamps dumped their arch nemesis Stettler 3-2 in extra time on Oct. 10 for the club’s first win of the season, then tacked on a come-from-behind 4-3 overtime victory Oct. 14 in Medicine Hat. In between, the Stamps were saddled 8-3 in Coaldale Oct. 13.
On home ice, a scoreless first period gave way to some offence in the middle frame with Stettler taking advantage of a giveaway about six minutes in only to have Ponoka’s Kobe Smallman capitalize on a similar giveaway less than five minutes later with a backhand to the top shelf.
Braden Kiessens gave the Stamps the lead with over four minutes gone in the third, followed 35 seconds later by Stettler tying it up on a breakaway. Kieran Bulloch with under eight minutes remaining put Ponoka ahead for good.
In Medicine Hat, Isaiah Deschamp-Cross put Ponoka up just two minutes in then watched the home side score three straight for a two-goal lead heading into the third.
Brandon Brockerville and Pierce Sorensen scored for the Stamps 38 seconds apart late in the third then celebrated with 1:09 left in overtime when Devin Anderson put the puck home on the powerplay.
Against Coaldale, the goal scorers were Bulloch, Sorensen and Anderson.
Brandon Clark was between the pipes for both victories, while Keenan Starkell went the distance in the loss.
Giddy up — The Stamps have a week off, during which the club will concentrate on having some laughs and raising some money at their annual fundraiser comedy showcase on Oct. 20 at the Stagecoach Saloon. The event starts at 5 p.m. with supper at 6:30 and features Edmonton comic Lars Callieou with his unique yet edgy style of humour. It also includes a live auction with tickets still available for $60 by calling (403) 358-2052.
The team is next on the ice Oct. 24 at home (puck drop 7:45 p.m.) versus Blackfalds.
jordie.dwyer@ponokanews.com
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