The Airdrie Techmation Thunder find themselves back in the fifth and final North Division playoff position in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) after picking up four crucial points with a pair of weekend wins.

On Friday night Airdrie may have made the two Ponoka goaltenders the Stampeders used during the game at the Ron Ebbesen Arena think they were seeing spots, in the form of pucks coming at them.  The Thunder peppered the Ponoka goal with 72 shots en route to a 12 - 1 win over the Stamps.

The two "J.T.'s," Jack Turton and Joel Taniguchi led the Thunder's offensive output, each scoring a hattrick.  The rest of the Airdrie scoring came via committee with Zachary Jones, Reed Chalmers, Tanner Chapman, Damon Pennoyer, Logan Pennoyer and Ryder Terpstra netting singles.  The Stampeders spoiled Airdrie goalie Austin White's attempt at a shutout with their only goal coming with just over three minutes to play in the game.  Ponoka took 18 shots at White.

The Thunder headed to Three Hills last night for a, virtually, "must-win" game against the Thrashers. The team came through, scoring a 4 - 2 victory.

Tanner Chapman scored twice for the Thunder with singles off the sticks of Ryder Terpstra and Logan Pennoyer.  Pennoyer's goal was his second of the weekend as well as his second of the season and turned out the eventual winner.   

Austin White blocked 26 of the 28 shots fired his way by Three Hills to pick up his second win of the weekend.  The shots were very close with Airdrie firing 27 pucks at the Three Hills goal.  

The pair of weekend wins now gives the Thunder 10 for the year.  They have a record of 10-20-4 and are now two points ahead of the sixth-place Red Deer Vipers.  Today (February 4) the Vipers, who now hold a game in hand over Airdrie,  will take on the tough Cannex Cochrane Generals.  The team that finishes fifth in the North Division will meet the team that comes fourth in the first round of the playoffs.

The Thunder are at home in the Ron Ebbesen Arena on Friday night for an 8:00 pm game with the Strathmore Wheatland Kings.  The Kings are fifth in the South Division with a 17-16-2 record.    

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