Jadon Porterfield of the Fort Macleod Mustangs attempts a wrap-around against Lethbridge Lightning goalie Aidan Low.
Fort Macleod Mustangs started 2026 on the right skate, edging Lethbridge Lightning 5-3 Saturday to snap a two-game Ranchland Hockey League losing streak.
The comeback win over the Lightning improved Fort Macleod’s record to 10-3, leaving them one point back of second-place Nanton Palominos and two behind Cremona Coyotes.
The Mustangs can climb into a first-place tie Saturday, Jan. 10 when they host Cremona Coyotes at 7:30 p.m. at the Kainai Sports Centre.
Mustangs 5 Lightning 3
Saturday’s win at the Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre avenged a loss to the same Lightning team just before the Christmas break.
The Lightning struck first on Saturday, with goals by Dayn Opel and Trey Twigg staking the visitors to a 2-0 first-period lead.
The score stayed that way until Brandon Creighton scored his 14th of the season, assisted by Dalton Eagle Bear and Peyton White Quills, on a powerplay with 5:33 left in the second period.
The defensive battle continued through the first half of the third period until Riley Potts scored for Fort Macleod, assisted by Jason Creighton, to tie the game 2-2.
Almost five minutes later Dane Creighton scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Potts and Isiah Day Chief, and the Mustangs had their first lead.
A minute and a half later Potts scored his second of the game and third of the year, unassisted, to make it 4-2 in Fort Macleod’s favour.
The Lightning cut the lead to one goal when Opel got his second of the game with 2:42 to play.
Eagle Bear iced the victory with his 14th of the year with 1:54 to play, with Jason Creighton and White Quills picking up assists.
Aaron DeKok made 29 saves in goal for Fort Macleod, while the Mustangs fired 42 shots at Lightning goalie Aidan Low.
Palominos 8 Mustangs 2
Nanton Palominos reeled off seven consecutive goals Dec. 19 to break open a tight game and defeat the visiting Mustangs 8-2.
Nanton opened the scoring in the first period but Greg Burrows responded with a powerplay goal assisted by Kent Broere and the teams went into the dressing room tied 1-1.
The Palominos broke the game open with four unanswered goals in the second period, including three by Brandon Aab.
Nanton continued its charge in the second period with three more goals, including two off the stick of Rhylen Wideman, to make it 8-1.
Burrows closed out the scoring with his second of the game and fourth of the season as time expired.
Mustangs goalie Mason Brussee allowed three goals on nine shots and Devon Hardie let in five of 23 shots.
Fort Macleod got 25 shots on Nanton goalie Mason Kelly.
Lightning 5 Mustangs 3
Lethbridge Lightning scored three goals in four minutes in the third period Dec. 20 on their way to a 5-3 win over the visiting Mustangs.
Fort Macleod took a 1-0 lead on Jason Stockton’s first goal as a Mustang and held it into the second period.
Joel Mabin scored back-to-back goals as Lethbridge surged ahead 2-1 in the second frame, but Brandon Creighton tied it with his 13th of the year. Greg Burrows and Jason Creighton assisted.
Garrett Voorhorst, James Price and Dayn Opel scored as Lethbridge opened a 5-2 lead nine minutes into the third period.
Roddy White Quills scored his fifth of the season with just under three minutes to play but the Mustangs could not get any closer. Jordy Welsh and Kent Broere assisted.
Mason Brussee was in goal for Fort Macleod and Riley Blinco backstopped Lethbridge to victory.
