The Stettler Imperials are now in a three-way tie for first place in the East Central Senior Hockey League standings following a closely contested win in Coronation on Nov. 3.
Kieran Rost got the scoring started for Stettler just over two minutes into the game, with assists by Brendan Bardwell and JJ Fournier.
Around four minutes later, the Coronation Royals answered back, with a goal scored by Koby Sieger and assisted by Isaac Grubisic.
Before the half of the period, Stettler would find the back of the net two more times, one a goal by Alex DeYoung, assisted by Adam Ternes and Riley Turre, and a powerplay goal by Erik Rost, assisted by Devan Shanks and Kieran Rost.
Royals Captain Matt Hanger responded just under three minutes later, assisted by Mike Numeier and Mitch Finkbiner.
Stettler wrapped the scoring in the first period with a goal two-and-a-half minutes remaining thanks to Fournier, assisted by Corbyn Stoneman and Bardwell.
The score ending the period was 4-2 for Stettler, with shots 14-13, also in Stettler’s favour.
Coronation picked up a pair of penalties in the first period, Colby Schacher picked up two minutes for hooking, and Corey Twa picked up two minutes for tripping.
Stettler picked up one penalty in the first, Matt Tateson went to the box for two minutes for hooking with a minute left in the period.
After the first intermission, Stettler continued its scoring push. Just over two minutes into the frame, Adam Ternes notched a goal, assisted by Turre and DeYoung. Just before the halfway mark, DeYoung notched his second of the night, a powerplay goal assisted by Turre and Ternes.
Coronation fired back less than a minute later when Colby Schacher found the back of the net, assisted by Kayden Glasier.
However, Stettler kept the pressure up; around the five-minute-left mark Quade Cassidy picked up another goal on the season, assisted by Shanks, and DeYoung scored in the dying seconds of the second period, assisted by Turre and Ternes.
The score after two periods was 8-3 Stettler, with shots 11 per side.
Coronation picked up a trio of penalties in the second period; Trent Weeks picked up a double-minor for tripping and unsportsmanlike conduct just over three minutes into the period, while Kayden Glasier picked up two minutes for slashing.
Stettler’s Devan Shanks picked up the only team penalty in the period, two minutes for tripping around 15 minutes into the period.
Coronation’s defence found its footing in the third period, holding Stettler scoreless. Mitch Finkbiner, found the back of the net, unassisted, with around 7 minutes left in the period. Carter Thornton then found the back of the net, also unassisted, with a powerplay goal with under a minute left.
Finkbiner picked up his second goal of the night, assisted by Hanger and Baird with just 32 seconds left in the game.
After the periods, the score was 8-6 in favour of Stettler. Shots in the period were 11-9 in favour of coronation, and 35-34 through three periods, also in favour of Coronation.
Stettler’s Matt Tateson and Justin Fournier each found themselves in the penalty box for two minutes in the third, Tateson for hooking and Fournier for slashing. Corey Twa had the sole Coronation penalty, two minutes for slashing.
Stettler had eight total penalty minutes, and Coronation had 12.
Stettler is next back in action on Nov. 10 when they are away taking on the Forestburg Flyers.
Coronation, which has now dropped three games to start the season, is next playing at home in Castor on Nov. 10 against the Provost Combines.