Smith and Thudium help Kings crown Thunder in Edmonton

Brent Forster - RDC

Edmonton, AB - The Kings rode the offensive prowess of Ryley Smith and Dylan Thudium, along with a solid outing from Troy Trombley in net and downed the host Concordia University Thunder 4-1 in Edmonton. 

The RDC Kings hit the scoresheet early. At 1:17, Ryley Smith capitalized on an opportunity past Thunder's goaltender Tanner McCorriston to provide RDC an early one goal edge. Mike Statchuk had the only assist. That marker would last nearly the rest of the period until Concordia's Phil Dillon struck on the power play with 1:12 remaining for the equalizer. 

In the second, Trombley turned aside nine shots and McMorriston stopped 11.

The Kings' offence fired for a trio of goals in the final frame. Chase Thudium set up his brother Dylan Thudium for the go-ahead-goal only one minute in. Then, as the period was winding down, McCorriston headed to the Thunder's bench for the extra skater, but Kings' forward Ryley Smith potted his second of the game into the empty cage for an insurance goal. The RDC Kings weren't quite finished, however. Dylan Thudium lit the lamp once again, set up by Chase Thudium, and the Kings skated away with a 4-1 road decision. 

Dylan Thudium (13) Colby Brochu Photography

Troy Trombley was strong between the pipes, stopping 35 out of 36 shots (0.972). Tanner McCorriston turned aside 37 (0.925).

The Kings went 0-for-4 on the power play and the Thunder were successful on 1-of-3 opportunities. 

Huxley, Alberta's Ryley Smith was selected as the Kings Player-of-the-Game. Tanner McMorriston received the honour for the Thunder.

With the road victory, the Kings hold fourth spot in the standings with 26 points but are only a pair of points out of top spot. MacEwan University sits alone in third (27 points). SAIT and NAIT share first with 28 points each.

On Saturday at 7:00 p.m., the RDC Kings (12-5-1-1) will host the Concordia University Thunder (3-13-1-1) at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.