Trojans shade Kings in overtime at Red Deer Polytechnic

Red Deer, AB - Carson Welke's second goal of the game turned into two points in the standings for the SAIT Trojans. 

In four-on-four overtime, Welke was in alone on Kings goaltender Arik Weersink and found the five hole for a 6-5 SAIT decision.

At the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, Kyle Salaway provided the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings a lead only 1:10 into the frame when he found room behind Trojans netminder Trevor Martin. Less than six minutes later Braydon Jenkins beat Kings goaltender Arik Weersink to even the contest 1-1. 

The RDP Kings were energized in the second period, going up 4-1 on goals from Cruz Cote, Kyla Salaway's second of the evening, and Jacob Kendall. Before the period expired, McKenzie Welke brought the Trojans within a pair. 

The SAIT Trojans began the final frame with three consecutive goals of their own to pull ahead 5-4. Welke began that stretch with a goal only 1:10 into the third period. About four minutes later, SAIT's Kaden Hanas struck shorthanded and Liam Freeborn added his team's fifth just over four minutes later. 

After a Kings' timeout and Weersink on the bench, captain Tyler Podgorenko ripped a slapshot high on the blocker side to tie the game 5-5.

Zach Zieglar's clearing pass from the Trojans' zone sprung Welke on a breakaway and the former member of the Camrose Kodiaks raced up the left side, cut across the middle, and tucked the puck between Weersink's pads for the 6-5 game winning goal. 

With three points, Welke was named the SAIT Trojans Player of the Game. Kyle Salaway was rewarded with the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game award, contributing a pair of goals. 

Shots were even 37-37.

The Trojans went zero-for-two on the powerplay. The Kings couldn't connect on five tries with the extra skater. 

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (1-1-1-0) will host the Portage College Voyageurs (0-3-0-0) on Friday, December 3 at 7 pm.

The SAIT Trojans (3-0-0-0) will face the Concordia University Thunder (2-0-0-0) on the same evening in Calgary.