While the Ponoka Stampeders remain the only team yet to win a game in the Junior B hockey league, the players continue to work at getting their first win.
Last weekend’s home game against the Three Hills Thrashers on Saturday Feb. 1 started badly for the Stampeders, said assistant coach Dave Parent.
He feels players were unable to complete two passes without making mistakes.
“To me, and I know Mark (Dobler, head coach) felt like we could have played better,” said Parent.
He feels the game against the High River Flyers the day before was a strong performance. The Stampeders played Jan. 31 against the Flyers and lost 4-3 in overtime. Parent was unsure if playing two games in two days made players tired but he feels they had trouble connecting in the first and the second periods against the Thrashers.
Once Three Hills scored their second goal in the second period, Dobler switched goalies. Parent said they needed to change the flow of the game and it seemed to work; Ponoka scored a goal 15 seconds later.
But the Thrashers were able to capitalize on a weak defense and brought the game to 4-1 by the end of the second period.
“They were caused from soft plays in our own end,” said Parent.
“It wasn’t very fun to watch, I’ll tell you that,” he added.
Things heated up for the Stampeders in the third period and the defense became tired of the Thrashers making jabs at the Ponoka goalie after a play stopped. One player took a stand with 13 minutes left in the third and a fight broke out.
“The guys were getting a little frustrated,” explained Parent.
Braeden Grant received a 4-minute penalty for roughing and 10 minutes for misconduct. With 13 minutes left in the game there was no reason to stay in the penalty box.
The Stampeders next game was to be played Feb. 3 against the Red Deer Vipers in Red Deer. Their next home game is Feb. 9 at 2:30 against the Blackfalds Wranglers.