SW Rockies come tumbling down in third period collapse

Southwest Rockies vs Badlands Longhorns
Lloyd Lybbert photos, C. Davis video

Frank McTighe, Macleod Gazette Editor

The Southwest Rockies came crashing down Saturday in the third period of a South Central Alberta Hockey League game.  The Rockies blew a two-goal lead as the Badlands Longhorns from Brooks scored five unanswered goals to steal a 7-4 win.

The loss, which was the Rockies fourth in a row, dropped their record to 3-9-1.  The victory was the first of the season for the Longhorns.

Next action for the Rockies is Saturday, November 23 when they host Red Deer Steel Kings at 5 p.m. at Pincher Creek.  The Rockies also host Lethbridge Hurricanes at 1 p.m. Sunday, November 24 at Pincher Creek.

Longhorns 7 Rockies 4

The Rockies got off to a fast start Saturday as just 42 seconds into the game Michael McTighe found Jordy Welsh all alone in the slot, and Welsh* made no mistake in scoring his first of the season.

Brooks evened the score with a powerplay goal mid way through the opening period and took the lead 35 seconds later with an even strength marker.

The Rockies battled back to tie the game with 30 seconds left in the period on a powerplay goal by Cameron Gallant, with McTighe picking up the assist.

The Rockies surged in front a minute into the second period on a powerplay goal by Jesson Luco, assisted by Gallant and Tyson Goodreau.

The Rockies scored again three minutes later to lead 4-2. This time it was McTighe banging home a rebound, with Welsh and Jason Creighton drawing assists.

The Rockies carried the play through the rest of the second period and appeared to be in good shape heading into the third.

The momentum shifted right at the face-off as Brooks scored seven seconds into the third period to narrow the gap to 4-3.

Brooks tied the game five minutes later with a powerplay goal, and took the lead for good eight minutes later with another powerplay goal.

The Rockies went into the game missing two players to injury and two to suspension, and their ranks continued to diminish throughout the game.

By just over three minutes into the third the Rockies had three players ejected for hitting from behind and lost another to injury, leaving just six players on the bench.

The Rockies battled but just ran out of gas and Brooks clinched their first win with a pair of goals 46 seconds apart late in the third.

Sean Park faced 38 shots in the Rockies goal, while his teammates fired 34 shots at the Brooks goal.