The underdog Mountainview Colts have taken a surprising two games to none lead over the defending Heritage Junior Hockey League champion Airdrie Thunder.  

Surprising to everyone, except maybe the Colts themselves.  

Mountainview followed up a tight 2 - 1 win in overtime in the series opener with a wild 8 - 6 victory last night (February 22) at the Didsbury Rec Complex. 

Josh Gette potted a hattrick and added two assists for the Colts.  Travis Gerrard added two goals and two helpers with Alan Klinck, Mithcell Visser, and Sam Kolke scoring singles.

Last year's HJHL scoring champion Jordan McConnell had a big game in a losing cause for the Thunder.  He also collected a hattrick and an assist.  Brayden Dunn, Tristan Paquette, and Tyler Petrie had the other Airdrie goals.

If those scorers sound familiar to you, it's because they've been scoring all season.  Thunder bench boss Derek Stamp said that was part of the problem last night, and in the series to date.  No secondary scoring, something he said needs to change if the Thunder hope to turn this into a series.

"Our top guys came to play and were really good all game.  We couldn't find any secondary scoring for the second game in a row and that, along with some struggles from our back end, has us in a hole."

Stamp said it will be good for the Thunder to have today off.   "All we can do is look to Monday and be sure that we are focused on our process."

Game three of the best of seven is set for Airdrie's Ron Ebbesen Arena Monday night with the puck dropping at 8:15 pm. 

Two other playoff series got underway last night.  In the other North semi-final, the Sylvan Lake Wranglers took a one game to none lead over the Red Deer Vipers by winning 7 - 6 in a game that went to overtime.  Game two of that series goes tonight in Sylvan Lake.

The Cochrane Generals had no problem in the opener of the South semi, blanking the Medicine Hat Cubs 6 - 0.  That series also continues tonight in Medicine Hat.

The High River Flyers try to even the other South semi as they are in Okotoks tonight for game two with the Bisons. 

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