The Airdrie Thunder should have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year after they beat the Red Deer Vipers and took back first place in the Heritage Junior Hockey League's Northern Division.

Benjamin Orde scored the winner at 15:05 of the third period as the Thunder came from behind to beat the Vipers 3 - 2.  Airdrie scored two third period goals for the victory.

Dante Raposo scored the first two Thunder goals and assisted on Orde's winner.

The victory puts Airdrie one point up on the Vipers, who still have two games in hand.  The game was the last for both teams in the league until Friday, January 5th.

In other HJHL action last night, Talus Hume had a big night, scoring three goals and assisting on two others to lead the Cochrane Generals to a 6 - 2 win over the High River Flyers.  The win moves the Generals to within three points of first place Okotoks in the Southern Division.

In Didsbury, the hometown Mountainview Colts and Stettler Lightning had to go to a shootout to determine the outcome.

Colton Anderson scored the only shootout goal to give the Colts a 4 - 3 win.  

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