Kings take rematch over Griffins in Red Deer

Red Deer, AB – It was a game of momentum swings. In their home opener, the Red Deer College Kings skated out to a five goal lead, but the three-time defending Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Champion MacEwan University Griffins didn't pack it in. The Griffins scored four consecutive markers, pushing late, but the Kings hit an empty net, solidifying a 6-4 home win.

The RDC Kings had lengthy moments of offensive zone time to begin. Griffins goaltender Marc-Olivier Daigle was sharp early and made several nice stops, including a right pad save on Kings forward Austin Hunter on the power play.

The Kings were eventually rewarded on their 12th shot. Kings defenceman Carter Wolski controlled the puck in the Griffins' corner and centred the puck to Jacob Wozney, who beat Marc-Olivier Daigle on the blocker side at 15:22.

As time was winding down in the period, the home team went up by two. Once again, blue liner Carter Wolski was involved. The first-year Kinesiology student shot from the point and when Daigle couldn't corral the rebound, Ryley Smith jammed home the rebound for a 2-0 edge. Tyrell Mappin picked up an assist.

The Kings added to their lead early in the middle stanza. At 1:35 while the teams skated four-on-four, Chance Longjohn connected with Kyle Salaway up ice. From the side, the Instrumentation Engineering Technician student found defenceman Tyler Podgorenko driving the slot and he quickly one-timed it past Daigle's glove.

Less than a minute later, the RDC Kings grabbed a four goal cushion. Chase Thudium released one on the blocker side after being set up by linemates Dylan Thudium and Austin Hunter. Then Regan Doig scored his first ACAC goal on the blocker side giving the Kings a 5-0 lead. Chase and Dylan Thudium had the helpers.

Thomas Davis replaced Daigle in net and the change sparked MacEwan University.

With 2:37 left in the middle frame, the Griffins finally solved Kings goaltender Arik Weersink. A point shot caromed off the boards and Cameron Regan shoveled it into the back of the net. Zach Aston and Bryan Arneson set up the tally.

Early in the third, MacEwan University reduced the gap to three. Brett Smythe found space on the glove side. Kole Gable and Zach Webb had the helpers. The Griffins continued to chip away.

At 6:49, MacEwan's Spencer McLean pounced on a loose puck, making it a 5-3 contest.  With nine seconds left and Davis on the bench, Cam Gotaas added another for the visitors. 

Then with a fraction of a second remaining, Sylvan Lake's Chase Thudium found the open cage and the RDC Kings sealed a 6-4 victory.

Chase Thudium was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Player-of-the-Game, finishing with a pair of goals and an assist. Cameron Reagan received the honour for the Griffins, contributing a goal and strong effort.

On Friday, October 18, the Kings (1-0-1-0) will face the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings (1-1-0-0) in Camrose at 7:30 p.m. On the same evening, the Griffins (1-1-0-0) will play an away game against the Concordia University Thunder (1-0-0-0) at 7:00 p.m.