The Airdrie Thunder headed into its 14-day holiday break by claiming its sixth straight victory in a 3-2 win over the Stettler Lightning at the Ron Ebbesen Arena, Dec. 23.
Veteran forward Alex Didich scored twice in the third period, before captain Travis Wallan added the game-winner on the power play with 2:25 left in the game to clinch the victory.
ìI think theyíre really starting to believe that they are a decent team,î said Thunder head coach Mike Carlsen. ìThey had some rough patches, but now theyíre starting to get back on track and they believe they can win and play with the other teams in the league.î
Airdrie sits tied for fourth, alongside the Mountainview Colts, in the Heritage Junior Hockey Leagueís North Division, with 34 points. The Three Hills Thrashers sit atop the division with 38 points, while Blackfalds at 36 and Red Deer at 35, sit second and third respectively.
Carlsen said earning wins against division rivals and will become vital in January.
ìIt gives us some more distance to the next guy in line, and it helps us close that gap to the teams above us,î he said. ìWe want to move as high as we can. Those points are important moving forward.î
After a scoreless first period, the Lightning took advantage of a string of Thunder penalties and scored twice on the power play in the middle frame.
But Airdrie responded in the third and outshot Stettler 17-4. Diduch, who was named the offensive player of the game, scored 2:04 into the frame, with an assist to Daniel Hounjet.
Diduch tied the game with 3:58 left, after a pass by Taylor Crossley, before Wallan scored his 16th of the season, from Harrison Harper and Alex Hustad.
ìI have to lean a little bit on those guys to get us back in the game and they did,î Carlsen said of Diduch and Wallan.
ìThe first two periods wasnít what we wanted to do. We got a little bit away from the way we want to play the game. They got out to a lead, but we were able to push back and show some resolve in the third period to get it done.î
Carlsen said his team would need a good start in January, as the schedule has Airdrie playing 10 games in 25 nights. The Thunderís next game will be on Jan. 6, when it hosts the Mountainview Colts. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. at the Ron Ebbesen Arena.
