Wolski and Kings handle Clippers, take weekend series

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – Defenceman Carter Wolski has flashed his speed and skill on the Kings' blue line, but hasn't always been rewarded on the scoresheet. That is, until Saturday's rematch against the Briercrest College Clippers. The first-year Kinesiology student broke out offensively, recording four points and leading the Kings to an impressive 8-2 win. 

The Kings scored twice in the opening seven minutes. Carter Wolski and Austin Hunter beat Clippers goaltender Dan Dekoning during that stretch. After Briercrest College's Jarret Marks reduced the gap to one, Tyrell Mappin sniped on the power play and Carter Wolski recorded his second of the game. RDC led 4-1 after 20 minutes.

"I thought we had a bit of a slower start than yesterday. We were trying to make some long passes coming out of our zone on the counterattack and they were getting picked off a bit. They were pressuring more," says Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper. "The guys kind of woke up about a third of the way into the first period and then started playing the way we do, and we played consistently right through to the end again."

Early in the middle stanza, Austin Hunter added the Kings' fifth marker, with a power play strike. Then nine minutes later Ross Heidt tacked on another for the home team.

Fourth-year Ross Heidt (60)

All three goals in the third period were on the power play. Lynnden Pastachak and Jacob Wozney found the back of the net less than two minutes apart. Then with time expiring, Jamieson Ree beat Kings goaltender Nathan Alalouf and the Kings sealed an 8-2 home win. 

"We got scored on at the end there. We were three-for-four on the penalty kill," says Keeper. "It was a great shot, a one-timer. The goalie was coming across and the shot went across the grain."

Alalouf turned aside 21 shots. Dekoning made 43 saves and was recognized as the Clippers top performer. 

Tyler Podgorenko (3) had an assist

Defenceman Carter Wolski was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Player-of-the-Game, with two goals and two assists.

"He is so quick and dynamic. Yesterday he had a lot of shots on net. He was doing the same kind of thing all of the time, so we talked about shot variety and mixing it up a bit," says Keeper. "Today he scored one under the bar. He was shooting when the goaltender wasn't set and ready. Once he gets some confidence, we are expecting that kind of thing to carry over."

Wolski entered the game with three assists and scored his first goal in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

"I think it was a little overdue," says Wolski. "I kind of had the monkey on the back for a bit, but it was nice to get two." 

The Kings jumped into first place with their seventh consecutive victory. NAIT will play Concordia later Saturday evening.

"The guys are playing consistent. They are playing Kings Hockey and playing for each other all the time," says Keeper. "We haven't lost a game for a while and that's one of the reasons."

Special teams were prominent in the win. 

"We played well again. It was all about good habits and special teams," says Keeper. "Our power play was four-for-seven tonight."

The Kings paid attention to the details and often started with the puck off the draw.

"We were really good in the face-off circle," says Keeper. "We had a couple of guys, who were in the high 80's, low 90's in face-off percentage."

Austin Hunter (14)

On Friday, November 29, the Kings (10-1-1-0) will host the SAIT Trojans (5-3-1-2) at 7:00 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. 

"We have to have four good days of practice and try to get another four points next weekend," says Keeper.