Red Deer Polytechnic Kings down Portage College Voyageurs at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

Red Deer, AB – The Portage College Voyageurs scored a pair of late goals, but couldn't full close the gap against the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings.

The home team solidified a 6-2 victory.

The RDP Kings successfully killed off an early penalty, but less than a minute later the visitors opened the scoring. First-year Voyageurs forward Isaac Barr cut cross crease and feathered it in between Kristian Lyon's pads. Xavier Halterman and Liam Visram had the helpers.

That lead held until late in the second period.

With 2:22 remaining in the frame, the Kings knotted the contest 1-1 with six-foot-four Mathieu Lapointe's fourth of the season. At the top of the right circle, Lloydminster's Chase Haygarth released a hard wrist shot that Lapointe redirected past Voyageurs goaltender Jacob Gnidziejko. 

Less than two minutes into the third period, the Kings captured a one goal edge. Chance Longjohn made a backhand pass that found Ryley Smith stationed on the left side of the night. Smith paused, which froze Gnidziejko, and the RDP Bachelor of Education Elementary student tucked it in the far side.

Within a minute the Kings went up a pair. Jacob Kendall, who was moved back to defence, skated down the middle of the slot and sniped it high on the blocker side.

At 4:41, Kendall set up teammate Tucker Scantlebury for a tip in at side of Portage College's net for a 4-1 edge. It was Scantlebury's fourth of the season.

Chase Haygarth and Chance Longjohn lifted the Kings to a 6-1 lead within 89 seconds of one another.

The Voyageurs power play went to work late in the final frame. From the left face-off dot, Brayden Dale found space between Lyon's arm and body at 14:53.

Then Portage College pulled within three. Logan Spence found himself in alone on Lyon and scored on the backhand. 

Time expired and the Kings picked up the home win. 

Lyon turned aside 20 shots for his first win in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). Gnidziekjko stopped 22-of-28 shots.

With a goal and an assist, Chase Haygarth was named the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game. Liam Visram was selected for the Voyageurs, recording a pair of assists.

On Saturday, February 5, the third place Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (5-1-2-1) and the Portage College Voyageurs (1-9-0-0) will meet in Lac La Biche at 7 pm.