It was an overall strong weekend of hockey action Oct. 23-24, which saw the Rocky Rams collect their first win of the season.

Oct. 23 vs. Mountain View Colts

The Rams laced up for a game against the HJHL’s top team, the Mountain View Colts.

While acknowledging it would likely be a tough contest, Rams coach Braden Bystrom said the team would be prepared.

He also pointed to the team’s recent momentum, following close contests the previous weekend against Airdrie and Sylvan Lake.

That momentum continued as Rams fans were treated to a thrilling, back-and-forth game that saw the two teams trade highlight-reel goals.

Starting the second period down 5-2, the Rams poured on the offence with three unanswered goals.

The offensive outburst included even-strength and shorthanded goals from forward Riley Roberts, adding to a first-period marker to give him his first HJHL hat trick.

The third period began with the Rams trailing 6-5 before the crowd went wild after Michael Bruce found the game-tying goal at 11:42.

Roberts picked up an assist on the goal, completing a solid four-point night.

With the game still unresolved after overtime, it went to a shootout, with the Colts winning 7-6.

Mountain View continues to be undefeated in the 2026-27 season with a 10-0-0 record.

Oct. 24 vs. Rimbey Royals

After the confidence booster against the Colts the night before, the Rams faced off against the HJHL’s newest team, the Rimbey Royals.

Xzayden Beaverbones opened the scoring for Rocky at 3:24 of the first period, and the score remained 1-0 until the second, when Jaxon Scrivener’s power play goal at 13:16 made it 2-0 and proved to be the winner.

Michael Bruce added a second power-play goal at 16:51 to give Rocky a 3-0 lead before Rimbey’s Chance Basaraba scored shorthanded at 19:00 to cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into the third.

Final score: Rocky 3, Rimbey 1.

Notably, officials had their hands full as the game turned into a penalty marathon for both teams. Well over 70 minutes in penalties were handed out, including a number of game misconducts.

Rocky’s Maddyn McCrindle made 27 saves on 28 shots to earn the win. Rimbey’s Jaxson Hosegood stopped 33 of 36 shots in the loss.

Rams improve position in HJHL standings

The Rams earned three points over the weekend, improving to 1-7-2 on the season — five points back of fourth-place Sylvan Lake in the HJHL’s North Division.

The Rams will hit the road for a pair of games against two division opponents to round out October.

They’ll be in Sylvan Lake on Oct. 30 before a Halloween tilt against the Red Deer Vipers at Servus Arena.