Kings' strong second half falls just short in battle for first with Ooks

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – The battle for top spot in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Hockey was a tale of momentum swings. The NAIT Ooks jumped out to a 4-0 lead and then the Red Deer College Kings responded with three consecutive markers of their own. With the Kings goaltender pulled in the late stages, the visitors capitalized and picked up a 5-3 win at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

Dylan Stewart gave NAIT a lead at 5:31 of the first period and Tyler Robertson added a second marker in quick succession.

"We got off to a bit of a slow start, obviously. We are playing a first place team in the league," says Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper. "Top goaltender in the league. We spotted them a couple goals."

Ferguson (17) and Hunter (14)

The Kings had a two man-advantage at 17:08 of the frame, but NAIT's penalty kill (90.4%) showed why it's ranked at the top of the league.

"The five-on-three, the guys were really hoping to try to score a couple goals and try to win the game in that two minute span. They tried to shoot through shin pads and sticks. NAIT has a good penalty kill," states Keeper. "They have to be more patient and draw guys to you, distribute it, and find seams and get open. Just a little bit of gripping our sticks too tight, so to speak, and trying to do too much." 

In the middle frame, NAIT's Curtis Roach scored back-to-back. First he struck at 8:10 on the power play and then with only 2:39 remaining in the stanza, Roach added his second, providing the Ooks with a 4-0 lead.

Ryley Smith started the Kings' scoring in the third period. After Smith beat Ooks goaltender Jordan Papirny at 9:19, Scott Ferguson connected on the power play just over a minute later. Shortly after, Tyrell Mappin brought the home team within one.

As time wound down, Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper pulled goaltender Arik Weersink for the extra attacker, but the Kings couldn't pull even. NAIT's Jake Mykitiuk picked up a loose puck in his defensive zone and skated the length of the ice to find the open net. The Ooks wrapped up a 5-3 decision.

"It's tough," says Keeper. "One little quick turnover and the game's over that way."

Papirny made 28 saves. Weersink turned aside 19 shots.

"In fairness Arik Weersink hasn't played since November 30 for us. It was tough for him to get in there," says Keeper. "He played well, but maybe his rebound control he will tell you, he's a little bit sharper at."

Weersink (31)

Ryley Smith was selected the Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Player-of-the-Game. Curtis Roach earned top honours for the Ooks.

NAIT went one-for-three on the power play. RDC clicked once out of eight times.

With the win, the NAIT Ooks improve to 32 points. The Kings are next with 28.

In a rematch the Ooks (17-2-0-0) will entertain the Kings (13-4-2-0) on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6:00 pm.

"We talked to the guys about we want to be in the finals this year and there's a good chance that's who is going to be there," says Keeper. "We have to go up there and make a statement." 

Salaway (59)