Butler and Kings down Lightning, remain unbeaten

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB - There were several swings in momentum at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, but with the help of a hat trick from all-star defenceman Tanner Butler, the Red Deer College Kings defeated the Concordia University Thunder 6 - 4 to remain undefeated.

Colby Brochu Photography

The Thunder struck 2:50 into the first period. Curtis Peck beat Troy Trombley for an early lead but it didn't last long. Just over six minutes later, Chase Thudium got one past Garrett Storms for the equalizer. Lynnden Pastachak recorded the lone assist.

In the second period, Tanner Butler took over. The talented defender from Souris, Manitoba recorded the natural hat trick, striking at 4:10, 6:22 and 8:05 to give the Kings a 4 -1 edge. Picking up assists on the trio of goals were Ryley Smith, Dylan Baer, Ross Heidt, Scott Ferguson, Lynnden Pastachak and Trevor Costello. Only 45 seconds later, Chase Thudium sniped his second of the game. Jantzen Leslie picked up an assist. After the tally, Sam Jaxon Visscher replaced Garrett Storms in Concordia's net. 

In the third period, the Thunder tried to mount a comeback. They connected at 6:54, 8:11 on the power play, and 13:37 to climb within a goal (5 - 4) but that was as close as they would get. Trombley and the Kings shut the door the rest of the game and Dylan Thudium, this week's Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Male Athlete of the Week, scored into the empty net to seal a 6 - 4 home victory. Trevor Costello and Chase Thudium set up the insurance goal. 

Troy Trombley turned aside 27 out of 31 shots for the win. 

Colby Brochu Photography

Kings Hockey Head Coach Trevor Keeper credited the Thunder. "We prepared all week and we knew exactly what they would bring. They are one of the hardest working teams in the league," he says. "They dump it in and send two guys in forechecking. They are opportunistic and they like the stretch pass, and you have to be on your toes."

Despite the Thunder making a push, the Kings still locked down the win. "I thought that we had a slow start. We weren't as mentally sharp as we have been but the guys came back in the second period and built a lead," says Keeper. "We had guys who missed some opportunities to score and they were getting frustrated. Their head wasn't in the space that it needed to be when they went out there for the next shift. We were lucky in the third period to have built the lead that we did because we gave it up and we let them push back harder. Once we got up 5 - 1, human nature is to get a bit complacent, or too cute, and when you miss an opportunity you get frustrated." 

Trevor Costello (28) Colby Brochu Photography

Tanner Butler was selected as the Kings Player-of-the-Game. "Tanner knows when to jump in on offence and he knows when to stay back," says Keeper. "He has really good anticipation and hockey sense. He sneaks in and gets those tap in goals but never gets caught out of position either." 

On Saturday, the Kings (5 - 0) will face-off against the Thunder (0 - 4 - 1) at 7:00 p.m. in Edmonton. The RDC Kings and SAIT Trojans (5 - 0) are the only two undefeated ACAC Men's Hockey teams and they share first place in the standings.