Hockey Kings defeat Vikings 4-1

The University of Alberta Augustana Vikings have been one of the stronger teams in ACAC Men's Hockey the past few seasons but the Red Deer College Kings showed that they can not only compete with the Vikings, but defeat them. The Kings played a solid road game to capture a 4-1 road victory at the Encana Arena in Camrose. 

Troy Trombley started in goal once again for the Kings and was coming off an impressive performance last weekend against the Portage College Voyageurs. Curtis Skip guarded the Vikings net.

Patrick Thompson-Gale put the Vikings up 1-0 at 3:23 into the first period. Trombley stopped 9-of-10 shots he faced in the opening frame while Skip turned aside all 9 shots from the Kings.

At 10:02 into the second period David Heath scored on the power play to even the game 1-1. The one-timer from the Business Administration student was set up by Zak Hicks and Dylan Thudium. Turning aside all 10 shots, Trombley was perfect in net while Skip stopped 5-of-6 Kings shots he faced.

The Kings came out fast to open the third period. Austin Hunter scored 21 seconds into the final period to put the Kings up 2-1. The goal from the former Lloydminster resident was unassisted. On the power play at 5:52 Ben Williams extended the RDC lead 3-1. Tanner Butler and Tyler Berkholtz picked up the helpers. The Kings continued to press forward and Williams scored his second goal of the game with 8:10 remaining in the final period to put the Kings up 4-1. Zak Hicks picked up his second assist of the contest while Dustin Gorgi added the other helper.

Trombley stopped all 8 shots he faced in the period. The goaltender from Sherwood Park stopped 27-of-28 Vikings shots. Skip turned aside 8-of-11 Kings shots in the third period and faced a three period total of 26 shots, turning aside 22 of them.

The Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper was pleased with the play of forward Ben Williams.

"Ben had a strong game and was named our player-of-the-game," said Keeper. "He had two goals off of deflections tonight."

Overall, Keeper has happy with many aspects of the Kings game in Camrose.

"We started the game very well, creating many quality scoring opportunities," said Keeper. "We maintained a good forecheck and got the Vikings goaltender to move east-to-west. Our special teams were good tonight, scoring two power play goals and killing off all five penalties."

The Kings next play Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Penhold Multiplex against the same U of A Augustana Vikings at 7:00 p.m.