Weersink and Kings blank Ooks in statement game

Brent Forster - RDC

Edmonton, AB – At the conclusion of Friday's game against the NAIT Ooks, Kings Head Coach Trevor Keeper wanted his team to make a statement in Saturday's rematch. It's safe to say that they did.

The first place Ooks entered the contest averaging 4.89 goals per game and they had only suffered two losses in 19 games. With a sound team effort, RDC shutout NAIT 1-0, handing the Edmonton team their third defeat. 

After a scoreless first period, the visitors capitalized at 4:18 of the middle frame. With a delayed penalty and an extra Kings' skater, Jacob Wozney slid a cross-ice pass to Kyle Salaway, who beat former Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Jordan Papirny for a 1-0 lead. Lynnden Pastachak, a third-year Kinesiology student, had the other helper on Salaway's sixth goal of the season.

Salaway (59)

With less than two minutes on the clock, Papirny was pulled for the extra attacker, but Kings starting goalie Arik Weersink shut the door.

Arik Weersink made 30 saves. Jordan Papirny turned aside 25 out of 26 shots.

Both goaltenders were selected as the top players.

RDC couldn't connect on three power plays. NAIT went zero-for-four. 

The second place Kings (14-4-2-0) will enter a bye week. On Friday, Feb. 7, the Red Deer College Kings will face-off against the sixth seed Concordia University Thunder (7-10-1-2) at 7:00 pm in Edmonton.