Lightning strikes a blow to Rockies playoff hopes

Rockies face off against the Oilers
L. Lybbert photos and video

Frank McTighe, Macleod Gazette Editor

The Southwest Rockies came close Saturday to staging a major upset to sneak back into the South Central Alberta Bantam AA Hockey League playoffs.

The Rockies, who are one point out of a playoff spot, dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to Airdrie Lightning.

With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Rockies now face the monumental task of upsetting one or both of the league’s top teams to gain that playoff spot.

On Saturday, Feb. 15 the Rockies are at Nanton to play the Foothills Bisons, who are 36 points ahead of the Rockies in the South Division standings.

On Sunday, Feb. 16 the Rockies close out the regular season at Strathmore against the Wheatland Warriors, who lead the North Division and the entire league.

Lightning 4 Rockies 3

The Rockies, who trail Brooks Badlands Longhorns by a single point in the race for the final playoff spot, went into their final home game knowing it would be their best chance to move up the standings.

It wouldn’t be easy, though, as Airdrie Lightning hold down fourth place in the North Division and beat the Rockies earlier this season.

The Lightning struck first, opening the scoring just over a minute into the game, and added a second goal nine minutes later.

The Rockies weren’t ready to roll over and die, and with just under eight minutes left in the period Cam Gallant scored their first goal.

The Airdrie goaltender misplayed the puck and Gallant pounced on it like a big cat, lifting the puck into the far side of the cage to make it 2-1.

The Rockies battled hard through the rest of the first period but a slow start in the second proved costly as Airdrie scored goals just 44 seconds apart in the opening two minutes to lead 4-1.

Once again the Rockies showed heart and kept battling and were finally rewarded late in the period.

Rockies captain Turner Sharp fed the puck to Michael McTighe who gave the Lightning defenceman the old “how do you do” and lit up the goalie like a Christmas tree to make it 4-2 with 20 ticks on the clock.

The Rockies left it all on the ice in the final 20 minutes as they battled for their playoff lives.

The Lightning got sloppy in their end five minutes into the third period and Jason Creighton made them pay. Creighton picked up a loose puck at the edge of the crease, pulled the puck to his forehand and slammed it home to cut Airdrie’s lead to 4-3.

The Rockies came close but could not get the equalizer, and the Lightning escaped with a 4-3 win.

Sean Park kept the Rockies in the game, making 46 saves.

Airdrie goalie Landen Richardson, meanwhile, faced with 26 shots.

Oilers 10 Rockies 1

The only thing colder Friday night than the temperature outside the Scott Seaman Sports Arena was the reception the Rockies received inside from the Okotoks Oilers.

The Oilers, who are the second-ranked team in the entire league, pounded the Rockies 10-1.

Okotoks scored just over a minute into the game, but the Rockies got that one back six minutes later when Ethan Richards got a powerplay goal, assisted by McTighe and Chaz Vance.

The Rockies battled but the Oilers popped two more — one shorthanded — to lead 3-1 after one period.

Okotoks scored four times in the second period — one while shorthanded and one with the man advantage to lead 7-1.

Three powerplay goals in the third made the final 10-1 in favour of the Oilers.

Okotoks goalie Hunter Young faced just 12 shots, while the Oilers peppered Kyle Roberts and Park with 49 shots.