The Airdrie Xtreme scored five third-period goals to open the second half of its season with another win.
With the 7-4 victory over the Golden Hawks in Lethbridge, Jan. 2, the Xtreme moved to 16W-6L-1T on the season and sit six points ahead of its rivals in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League’s Ram South Division.
“It’s huge from several different perspectives,” said Xtreme head coach Terry Keogh. “We finished off (2010) with two wins on the road, and saw some positive stuff out of that, so starting off in January with a win was huge for us. Then by beating Lethbridge, which gives us the season win, we know now we have the game advantage over our biggest division rivals. If it ends up in a tie, and should we face them in the playoffs, we would get home-ice advantage.”
Tyler Wong had two goals and two assists, while Colby Chartier and Kyle Pauls both added two and J.P. Gingrus had a single. Christian Fitzgerald made 20 saves to earn his seventh win.
“We got off to a little bit of a slow start, but we certainly picked it up in the second period and dominated the rest of the way,” Keogh said.
Airdrie’s Wong, Fitzgerald, Malcolm Walilko and Roman Melzer were all selected to the AMBHL’s South Conference All-Star team and will suit up at Lethbridge’s Henderson Arena, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m., for the League’s All-Star game
“The most we can send is four guys and we’re allowed to send two (goalies), since we’re first in the division,” Keogh said. “It’s a real compliment to the players that are going and to the team as well. To have two goaltenders shows the commitment of the team to the defensive style of play, it also gives other teams something to think about.”
The four South All-Stars will be back with their Xtreme teammates the following day, as Airdrie will resume its schedule in Okotoks against the 6W-13L-2T Oilers.
The team’s next home game is against the Calgary Bisons on Jan. 15 at the Ron Ebbesen Arena. Game time is 7:15 p.m.
