Power play clicks, Kings win 2-1 over Vikings

Friday in Camrose, the Red Deer College Kings and University of Alberta (Augustana) Vikings needed overtime to solve a 2-2 tie. While the Vikings picked up the win, the Kings competed hard against a potential playoff opponent and picked up 1 point in the standings. 

Saturday, the venue shifted to the Penhold Multiplex in a rematch. Mike Salmon started in net for the RDC Kings while Curtis Skip guarded the cage for the Vikings. Scott Ferguson opened the scoring at 5:11 of the 1st period on the power play to give the Kings a 1-0 lead. Riley Simpson and Tanner Butler picked up the assists. Cody Fiala tied the game 1-1 on a Vikings' power play at 18:39 of the opening frame. Over 20 minutes, the Kings tested Skip 12 times while the Vikings had 6 shots on Salmon. 

At 4:08 of the 2nd period, Riley Simpson scored on the power play to give RDC a 2-1 lead. Tanner Butler and Scott Ferguson picked up the helpers. The Vikings had a slight 10-9 shot advantage in the 2nd period. 

Trailing by a goal in the 3rd, Augustana pulled Skip with 53 seconds remaining in favour of the extra attacker but Salmon was unbeatable. The RDC Kings skated to a 2-1 victory on home ice. In the 3rd period, the Kings fired 12 shots on Skip while the Vikings had 7 shots on Salmon. The Red Deer College Kings connected on 2-of-7 power plays while the Augustana Vikings scored on 1-of-4 opportunities with the extra skater.

Saturday's victory adds confidence to a Kings team that has been playing well. RDC has earned 7-of-8 points in the past 4 games. It appears that the Kings will face the Vikings in the 1st round of the playoffs and RDC has earned 3-of-4 points in the weekend series against Augustana. 

Kings Hockey Head Coach Trevor Keeper was pleased with the effort, result and noted confidence in their game as the regular season winds down.

"The guys played hard tonight. I was happy with the effort and we played a playoff brand of hockey," said Keeper. "We were without our leading scorer, Tyler Berkholtz, but Scott Ferguson really stepped up. The players are paying attention to the details of the game and what we are doing in practice is paying off in the games. There's a good vibe in the dressing room." 

With the win, the Kings remain in 5th place and improve to 26 points in the standings. The top 6 teams qualify for the playoffs.

Next weekend, the RDC Kings will face the Concordia University Thunder in a home-and-home series. Friday, Feb. 24 the Thunder will host the Kings at 8:15 p.m. At the Penhold Multiplex, the RDC Kings will compete against the Thunder Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m.