Baer's hat trick sinks Voyageurs in overtime

Brent Forster – RDC

Red Deer, AB – In an afternoon game which the RDC Kings controlled in many categories, the Portage College Voyageurs were opportunistic, pushing the game to overtime but Dylan Baer's third goal of the game sank the visitors 5-4 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

After a scoreless first period, the teams traded goals in the middle frame.

At 4:20 of the second period, the Portage College Voyageurs capitalized off a lucky bounce. A wrist shot from Ryan Syminton caromed off the glass and ricocheted off Nathan Alalouf's back, and in the net.

Over two minutes later the Kings responded on the power play to knot the game 1-1. Dylan Baer snuck in from his defensive position and snapped one by Taryn Kotcherek's blocker. Tyler Podgorenko and Lynnden Pastachak recorded the helpers.

Then with 2:29 remaining in the period, Trevor Posch scored, giving the Voyageurs a 2-1 edge.

The Kings were determined as the third period began. Only 19 seconds in, Dylan Baer scored his second of the afternoon to even the contest 2-2. From inside the blueline, Baer beat Kotcherek low on the blocker. Lynnden Pastachak and Tanner Butler set up the equalizer.

Dylan Baer (54) Colby Brochu Photography

About midway through the third, Alalouf made a nice save on a Voyageur's two-on-one but Kyle Roslowski capitalized out front to give Portage College a one goal margin.

Then with 7:47 left, Jacob Wozney tied the game 3-3. Wozney's initial shot was stopped but the rebound deflected off a defender's skate and in. Only 49 seconds later, the Thudium brothers connected to give the Kings a 4-3 lead. Dylan Thudium's shot was kicked out by Kotcherek's left pad but Chase Thudium pounced on the rebound. Tanner Butler added the other assist.

Tyrell Mappin (37) Colby Brochu Photography

On the power play at 17:26, Ryan Symington tied the game at four and the game headed to five minutes of four-on-four overtime.

The Kings were awarded a man advantage in the extra frame and they used it. With the extra skater, Dylan Baer's one timer found the back of the net from left side with 3:04 remaining in the first overtime period to finalize a 5-4 home decision. The Kings outshot the Voyageurs 53-23.

RDC went 2-for-7 on the power play. Portage College connected 1 out of 5 times.

"I thought the guys played hard and controlled the puck. We had the game in control and then some guys lost control of their emotions and their composure," says Trevor Keeper, Kings Head Coach. "It comes down to the end when we have to go to overtime and fortunately we have enough skill, but we never should have been in that spot."

Dylan Baer was selected as the Kings Player-of-the-Game. Kyle Roslowski received the award for the Voyageurs.

"Our defence provides us with offence as well. Dylan (Baer) is a competitive guy but he plays in control. He's been really good the past couple of years," says Keeper. "He has a great shot and is a great power play weapon."

On Friday, November 16, the RDC Kings (7-2-0-1) will face-off against the SAIT Trojans (6-3-0-0) at 7:00 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.