RDC Hockey Kings tie Clippers

In the second game in as many days against the Briercrest Clippers the Red Deer College Kings were looking to continue their winning ways in the young regular season Saturday. Even though the Kings outshot and outplayed the Clippers, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

This afternoon tilt featured two different starting goaltenders. Troy Trombley got the start for the Kings while Christian Mueller got the nod for the Clippers.

RDC had the better opportunities in the 1st period. Eleven minutes into the opening period Mueller made a great glove save on Dustin Gorgi as he tried to score on the backhand. On the power play Tanner Butler came close to beating the Clippers netminder but he hit the post on a slap shot from the point.

It was Briercrest who struck first with 2:19 remaining. Alex Bechtold beat Trombley on a rebound. After the 1st period of play the shots favoured the Kings 9 to 5.

The Kings had some jump in the early part of the 2nd period. Two minutes in Dustin Gorgi had a burst of speed down the right side and shot high on the glove side but Mueller made a nice save.

RDC continued firing the puck on net and at 16:20 Ben Williams tied the game up.

After the 2nd period shots were 14-2 in favour of the Kings.

In the 3rd the RDC Kings took the lead on a power play goal by Tanner Butler. Butler skated in from his defensive position when he buried a nice pass from Commerce student Dylan Thudium. Mike Statchuk picked up the other assist.

Even though outshot by a wide margin Briercrest took advantage of a power play opportunity scoring with 6:42 remaining in the 3rd period. Scoring for the Clippers was Ricky Seidel.

Neither team could score the go ahead goal and regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw. In the final period the Kings outshot the Clippers 14-4. The game headed to a 5 minute 4-on-4 overtime period. Neither team could score and overtime continued with a 5 minute 3-on-3 overtime period.

Riley Simpson had the best opportunity in the final overtime period just missing the net high on the glove side. Jordan McTaggart broke down the right side and rattled one off the cross bar. McTaggart then set up Tanner Butler who just missed the left side of the goal. At the other end Trombley kept the game tied making a nice pad save and then shortly after was in great position to halt a Clippers one timer. It was end to end action providing a lot of entertainment for the hockey fans.

In both overtime periods the Kings generated 7 shots for a game total of 44. Briercrest added 8 shots in overtime for a game total of 19.

The Clippers scored 1 power play goal on 2 opportunites, while the Kings went 1-for-6 on their man advantages.

Despite the tie the Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper took many positives from the game.

"We outplayed them but it is important to focus on the positives," said Keeper. "We took 3 of 4 points this weekend. We want to focus on what we did well and keep pushing forward. The goal is to get better each week."

The Kings are next in action at the Penhold Multiplex Friday, Sept. 30 against the NAIT Ooks at 7:00 p.m.