Kings earn bye in first round despite dropping road decision to Trojans

Brent Forster - RDC

Calgary, AB - The RDC Kings tried but couldn't repeat their late game heroics in back-to-back nights against the SAIT Trojans. When tied in the final stanza, the Trojans pulled ahead late, wrapping up a 4-3 home win. 

The Kings had an energetic first period, scoring all three of their goals. 

SAIT's Jackson McKinstry and RDC's Kyle Salaway traded goals 17 seconds apart. First McKinstry backhanded a loose puck past Kings goaltender Arik Weersink. Then Salaway quickly snapped a rebound past Trojans goalie Aaron Swier's blocker.

Salaway (59)

At 8:37, the home team took a temporary 2-1 lead on the power play, but the Kings responded with a power play marker off their own. Ryley Smith sent a cross-crease pass to Dylan Thudium, who beat a sprawling Swier, knotting the game 2-2. Chase Thudium had the other helper.

Less than a minute later, Chance Longjohn received another nice set-up from Smith and he found room on the stick side for a 3-2 edge.

Longjohn (11)

That lead held until 9:32 of the middle frame when SAIT's Rock Ruschkowski evened the contest.

With 3:30 left in the third period, Mark Drohan shot a knuckle puck that eluded Weersink. The RDC Kings pressed late on the power play but couldn't find the equalizer. SAIT took a 4-3 decision.

Ryley Smith had a strong game and assisted on all three RDC goals.

Chase Thudium was named the Kings Player-of-the-Game.

Mark Drohan received the award for the Trojans. 

SAIT outshot RDC 36-33 in the final regular season game for both teams.

Despite the road setback, the RDC Kings (20-6-2-0) locked up second in the standings and a bye in the first round. The NAIT Ooks defeated the MacEwan University Griffins 3-1, so the Griffins can't catch the Kings. MacEwan finished third in the league standings.