RDP Kings roll past Thunder in game one of ACAC finals
Red Deer, AB - The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings' special teams were firing on all cylinders in game one of the best-of-five final.
The RDP Kings scored three power play goals, one shorthanded and were perfect on the penalty kill. They defeated the Concordia University Thunder 6-3.
"Since the Briercrest series in our last regular season games and through playoffs, our special teams have been getting better every day," said Trevor Keeper, Kings Hockey Head Coach. "Those things, when you have in addition to how you're playing five-on-five, can win games for you."
Over three playoff games, the RDP Kings' power play has clicked at 37.5 per cent and their penalty kill has been 93.8 per cent successful. Both stats rank first in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Hockey in the postseason.
The Kings had an energetic start against the Thunder, opening the scoring at 1:05 of the first period.
From the right circle, Kings forward Ryland McNinch snapped it behind Concordia's goaltender Ashton Billesberger on the stick side.
Second-year forward McNinch (20)
Then Concordia's Dallon Wilton evened the contest 1-1 nearly 10 minutes later. The six-foot-three forward roofed the puck over Kings goaltender Arik Weersink's shoulder on the short side.
The RDP Kings began the middle frame with four consecutive goals.
While shorthanded, Kings fifth-year forward Jacob Wozney was sent in alone on Billesberger and found space on the blocker side. Four minutes later, Nolan Doell put the home team up 3-1 with a power play marker.
At 13:00, RDP's Sean Michalevich scored on a breakaway, tucking the puck between Billesberger's pads. Sylvan Lake's Hayden Clayton made a tape-to-tape pass to the third-year forward.
"I saw the gap between the d-men and then I just went for it," said Michalevich, who is a Business Administration General Management student. "Clay found the lane. I've been having trouble shooting the puck lately, so I thought I'd make a move and luckily it went in."
Less than two minutes later, the Kings' power play struck again when Jaxon Steele found the back of the net. It was Steele's fifth point of the playoffs.
Before the end of the period, Concordia reduced the gap to 5-3 with a wrap around goal from Zachery Carlson and tally from Brandon Wallis.
"When we got up 5-1, we made a few plays that are not part of our game plan – a turnover, a missed back check," added Keeper.
With Billesberger pulled for the extra skater, RDP's Liam Stalwick hit the empty net with 38 seconds remaining. It was the Kings' third power play marker of the game. The Kings sealed a 6-3 victory.
Sklaruk (10) had two assists
"Getting the first win is huge. We are pretty shorthanded," said Michalevich of the team's injuries. "We've come a long way in the second half and we're really rolling."
Keeper praised Michalevich's work in the summer to improve his game.
"He put himself in this situation by having a really strong off-season. He's a bull in the weight room, but he worked on his plyometrics and his speed," said Keeper of the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game. "He's six-foot-four, 230 pounds and now he can get the rig moving in top gear and he's hard to stop. He's using his size, quickness and he's competing hard. He's very coachable."
Wallis received the Thunder Player of the Game.
The Kings went three-for-five on the power play. The Thunder couldn't convert on three opportunities with the extra skater.
Lethbridge's Weersink made 25 saves. Beaumont's Billesberger turned aside 31 shots.
Jarod Newell (7) and Weersink (72)
The RDP Kings will challenge the Concordia University Thunder on the road in game two on Saturday, March 16 at 7 pm.
"They have a big ice surface – it's at least 90 feet wide. We just have to do a really good job of our positioning defensively to be inside and try to create odd man situations," said Keeper. "We can score a lot of goals. When we commit to outnumbering the other team in their offensive spaces, that's when we can be successful."