Effective forecheck helps Kings defeat Thunder at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Concordia University of Edmonton (3-14-1, 3-15-1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
Red Deer College (13-5-1, 14-5-1) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Brent Forster – RDC
Red Deer, AB – While Friday and Saturday's 4-1 scores were identical, the RDC Kings elevated their game in several areas, dropping the Concordia University Thunder on consecutive nights.
The RDC Kings came close to opening the scoring in Saturday's rematch. Defenceman Dylan Baer beat Tanner McCorriston twice on the blocker side but both attempts rattled off the post. As the first period was winding down, the Thunder took a 1-0 edge at 17:51. Concordia's Romano Morrison converted a two-on-one opportunity past Troy Trombley on the backhand.
The Kings responded early in the second. Only 1:05 into the frame, Dylan Thudium was on McCorriston's doorstep and notched the equalizer. Tanner Butler and Chase Thudium picked up the helpers.
Colby Brochu Photography
At 2:18 of the final period, Tanner Butler blasted a shot on McCorriston and Dylan Thudium deposited the rebound into the back of the net. Trevor Costello added the other helper on the go-ahead-goal. Around four minutes later, the Kings went up by a pair. Chase Thudium spotted Ryley Smith in front who successfully one-timed the pass. Shortly after, Lynnden Pastachak beat McCorriston high on the glove side for a 4-1 lead, and the Kings eventually locked down the three goal home victory.
Chase Thudium (10) Colby Brochu Photography
"I thought that we played a lot better than last night. We had a 4-1 win there, but one area that we weren't very good at in Edmonton was our forecheck in the offensive and neutral zones," says Head Coach Trevor Keeper. "I thought that was one of the areas that we gave them a chance to enter our zone with the puck. One of our sole focuses today was to clean up our forecheck in both zones, offensive and neutral zones, and that allowed for more turnovers and more chances to have the puck, and be on offence."
Kyle Salaway (22) Colby Brochu Photography
Troy Trombley stopped 30 out of 31 shots (0.968). McCorriston made 22 saves (0.846).
Dylan Thudium was named the Kings Player-of-the-Game, totaling two goals and one assist. Romano Morrison was selected for the Thunder, scoring Concordia's lone goal.
The line of Dylan Thudium-Chase Thudium-Ryley Smith sustained a lot of offensive pressure, combining for six points.
"They had seven of our eight goals this weekend. Other players step up to the plate. We have scoring by committee but they have been very good together - lots of good chemistry and they just move the puck so well," says Keeper. "They communicate and had it going this weekend. Dylan, is a veteran player, in his fourth-year and is climbing near the top in all-time Kings' points and games played, and he showed his poise out there this weekend."
Colby Brochu Photography
With the victory, the Kings (13-5-1-1) improve to 28 points in the standings after 20 games. SAIT is even with RDC with 28 points, but has played one fewer game. NAIT (14-5-0-0) slightly leads the pack with 29 points and MacEwan University has 27 over 19 games.
Next weekend, the RDC Kings will face-off against the MacEwan University Griffins in a pair of games. On Friday, February 1, the Kings will play the Griffins in Edmonton at 7:00 p.m. Then, on Saturday, the two teams will meet at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at 7:00 p.m.