Berkholtz picks up two assists, but Vikings down Kings in Camrose

Brent Forster - RDC

The Red Deer College Kings got behind by three goals in the second period and that deficit proved too difficult to rally from in Camrose against the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings on Friday. The Vikings eventually completed a 6-3 home win. 

Mike Salmon started in goal for the RDC Kings while Curtis Skip got the nod for the Augustana Vikings. 

At 11:29 of the first period, Ryan Groom struck on the power play to put the Vikings up 1-0. Over 20 minutes, Augustana outshot the Kings 14-10.

Mitch McMullin gave the Vikings a 2-0 lead 32 seconds into the second period. Cody Young increased Augustana's lead by 3 at 1:07. Over 3 minutes later, Jacob Wozney beat Skip to pull the Kings within a pair (3-1) at 4:31. Tyler Berkholtz and Damien Kulynych had the assists. Adam Osczevski restored Augustana's 3 goal lead with the man advantage at 19:21. The RDC Kings fired 17 shots on Skip while the Vikings tested Salmon 9 times in the middle frame.

After Travis Mayan scored 11 seconds into the third period to extend the Vikings' lead to 4 goals, Kings defenceman Mike Statchuk found the back of the net at 5:42 to make it a 5-2 game. Lynnden Pastachak and Tyler Berkholtz picked up the helpers. The Vikings' Paul Lovsin scored at 5:58 and then the Thudium brothers connected to make it a 6-3 contest. Chase Thudium beat Skip at 10:36. Dylan Thudium and Tanner Butler set up the tally. Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper pulled Salmon with 1:01 remaining, but the Kings couldn't claw their way any closer on the night and the Augustana Vikings won 6-3. Skip had to work hard for the win in net as the Kings rifled 19 more shots in the third period for a total of 46 shots. The Vikings had 6 third period shots on Salmon and a game total of 29.

Keeper didn't like his team's start and found it difficult to completely climb back into the game with the deficit. "We weren't as sharp tonight. We tried to turn it around late but after we got down early it was hard to catch up," said Keeper. "We made a couple of bad reads, had a couple of turnovers which resulted in two power play goals against. But after we got behind the eight-ball, the guys didn't quit."

There were several good efforts in Camrose. "Tyler Berkholtz picked up a couple of points and has been fairly consistent," said Keeper. "Tanner Butler played well on the blueline and he led by example. Chase and Dylan Thudium played a good game and they each had a point."

In the rematch at home, Keeper would like to see more attention to detail, especially in the defensive zone. "Saturday, we want to be better against the rush," said Keeper.  "We want to clean up our end, from the blueline in."

The RDC Kings (11-5-1-0) will host the U of A Augustana Vikings (10-5-2-0) on Saturday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Penhold Multiplex. The Kings own second spot in the standings with 23 points. The MacEwan University Griffins, SAIT Trojans and U of A Augustana Vikings share third place with 22 points. The NAIT Ooks are in first with 30 points.