Podgorenko and Kings pick up double overtime win over Clippers in home opener

Brent Forster - Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB - The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings had a memorable performance against the visiting Briercrest College Clippers in their opening game of the 2021/2022 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season.

Down four goals in the second period, the home team rallied to even the contest late in the third and then picked up a 7-6 home victory in double overtime. 

"I thought we started really well. Our game plan was to put pressure on them early," said Trevor Keeper, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Hockey Head Coach. "We set a goal of getting 10 shots in the first 10 minutes and we did that. We earned a couple of power plays because of that."

The Kings went up 2-0 by 16:23 of the opening frame with goals from Kyle Salaway and Jacob Kendall. 

Clippers' Zachary Anderson sniped his first power play goal with 1:15 remaining in the first period, pulling Briercrest within one.

"We let our emotions get away from us a little bit. You lose focus and it was an off night for our penalty kill," said Keeper. "Throughout preseason, we played seven games and our penalty kill only got scored on a couple of times in all of those games. We think we have a great penalty kill group, but tonight they were chasing and over committing."

Briercrest College scored five consecutive goals in the second period, three of those on the power play. First, Trey Doell evened the contest on the man advantage. 

"Give Briercrest credit, they moved the puck well. They have good structure on their power play," said Keeper. "They got shots from the perimeter, but we weren't boxing guys out or blocking shots. We weren't making an effort to really clamp down on their scoring chances on their power play." 

Zachary Thusuka and Landon Russell struck at even strength for the visitors. Anderson completed the hat trick with a pair of power play markers five minutes apart and the Clippers led 6-2.

"I burned my timeout and we talked about putting forecheck pressure on them, being tougher on the one-on-ones and trying to get to the net more so you are ready for rebounds, with stick on the ice, and the guys did that," said Keeper.

Longjohn (11)

Before the end of the frame, Chance Longjohn (on the power play) and Mathieu Lapointe beat Clippers goaltender Billy Cawthorn to bring the Kings within a pair.

Lapointe (91)

"They got those two goals to make it 6-4 and in the intermission between the second and third we talked about not worrying about winning, but worrying about the things that will get us there - the building blocks," said Keeper.

Tucker Scantlebury brought the home team within one, only 49 seconds into the third period. The Kings applied pressure and Ryley Smith sent the game to overtime with 1:25 remaining. 

"I thought we picked up our forecheck, our physical play, and when we lost the puck in the offensive zone, we reloaded, we checked again and kept it in and kept the play alive, which allowed us to tie the game," said Keeper.

The game eventually went to three-on-three in double overtime and at 1:43 Red Deer Polytechnic's captain Tyler Podgorenko cashed in his own rebound past Cawthorn for the home win. 

Podgorenko (3)

Tyler Podgorenko was named the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game. Zachary Anderson was named Briercrest's top player with five points. 

"Ty hasn't played for a long time. He's had a lower body injury and he just got cleared to play this week. He can stickhandle in a phone booth and in the end he did that in front of their goaltender," said Keeper. "In overtime, we've always had the philosophy of be creative and go for it, but as soon as we lose the puck, find your man and stay on the defensive side."

The Kings outshot the Clippers 54-24. 

Briercrest College went four-for-seven on the power play, which was uncharacteristic of the Kings penalty killing ability. Red Deer Polytechnic connected once on 10 attempts. 

As for the chance to play in front of fans, Keeper appreciated the support. 

"It was awesome. We played our seven preseason games, but it's not the same. The points mean a lot," he said. "You could feel that energy which helps when you're at home and you're fighting your way from a deficit and you get to double overtime. The fans definitely add to that."

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (1-0-0-0) will face the NAIT Ooks (1-0-0-0) on Friday, November 19 at 7 pm in Edmonton. 

Doig (12)