Hockey Kings over Griffins 5-4

The Kings Hockey team showed that they are not only up for a challenge, but can succeed at that challenge. Friday, the Kings faced the ACAC Men's Hockey leading MacEwan Griffins on the road and defeated them 5-4. Mike Salmon started in goal for the Kings while Chris Wray backstopped the Griffins.

Tyler Berkholtz put his Kings up 1-0 when he beat Wray 5:44 into the opening period. RDC outshot MacEwan University 10 to 6 in the first period. 

The Kings held their 1-0 lead throughout the entire second period. The Griffins barraged Salmon in the middle frame, firing 18 shots at the Bachelor of Business Administration student, but Salmon was unbeatable. The Red Deer College Kings responded with 10 shots of their own.

The goals came fast and furious in the third. Over 8 minutes into the final period, the Griffins scored two goals within 23 seconds to take a 2-1 lead. Scott Ferguson responded 23 seconds later to put his Kings on even terms 2-2. Jordan McTaggart and Trevor Costello picked up the assists. MacEwan took a brief 3-2 lead but Ferguson scored his second of the game with 6:28 remaining to tie the game once again.  Landon Kletke and Tanner Butler added the helpers. The Kings took a 4-3 lead on an unassisted goal by Dylan Baer with 2:45 left in the game.  Dylan Thudium added an important insurance goal on the power play with 1:28 remaining to give the Kings a 5-3 lead. Dylan Baer and Dustin Gorgi picked up the assists. The Griffins made things interesting, narrowing the gap 5-4 with 54 seconds left but the Kings held their ground and picked up the victory.

MacEwan University fired 19 more shots at Salmon in the final period, while the Kings had 11 shots on Wray.  The Griffins finished with a game total of 43 shots while RDC had 31 shots.

The Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper was happy with the road win and the play of his goaltender.

"Mike Salmon was very solid for us tonight in net," said Keeper. "He was busy and finished the game with 39 saves."

The Kings were successful on one-of-six power play opportunies while the Griffins scored on one-of-eight man advantages.

The Kings face the MacEwan Griffins in a rematch at the Penhold Multiplex Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 p.m.