A tough stretch for the Rocky Rams has become ever more challenging, as the team suffered a pair of losses to Three Hills over the December 7-8 weekend.

In game one of the home-and-home, the Rams stumbled out of the gate allowing four unanswered goals in the opening 20 minutes. Mounting a would-be comeback in the second, the team scored three unanswered, with Grady Mofford finding the net twice on the power play.

The Thrashers responded in kind with three goals in a row in the final frame to win the game 7-4.

The team then played a Sunday matinee at the Rocky Arena, but once again failed to solve the Thrashers as time expired.

Reid Christiansen opened the scoring with a pair of goals in the first. However, Three Hills lit the lamp with five unanswered goals stretching into the third, starting with a late first period marker from the Thrashers’ Drew Williamson.

Rams goaltender Lex Watson struggled, allowing six goals on 21 shots with a .714 save percentage.

Final score: 6-3 Three Hills.

Sunday’s game was a rescheduled affair — originally slated to be played Jan. 3, 2025.

Head coach Wendall Mason credits the team with executing team systems well 75 per cent of the time. However, he adds the mounting losses are due in part to the team not having the same level of compete for a full 60 minutes.

“When you play good teams, they’re going to put the puck in the back of the net, and it just snowballs from there,” he said.

The 7-14-0 Rams now sit sixth in the HJHL’s northern division— three points back of Three Hills. The team has lost seven of its last ten games.

On the upside, after spending a lot of time on the road in the fall, the team has three home games scheduled to close out 2024.

Before the holiday break, the Rams will host the Red Deer Vipers Dec. 15, the Mountainview Colts Dec. 21, and a make-up game Dec. 22 against Three Hills, which was postponed on Nov. 23.

They’re also in Airdrie Dec. 13, and Sylvan Lake on Dec. 20.