Game #54 of the SMJHL takes us to Halifax where both teams should be well rested as neither teams played last night. Three weeks have passed already and we are starting to get a clearer picture at the standings. Coming into this game, Kelowna sits in the middle of the pack with a 6-4-0 record in 10 games played. As for their opponent, Halifax comes in dead last in the standings, having lost all of their games so far either in regulation or overtime with a 0-7-3 record.


1st Period

The home team, eager for their first win, start strong in the early game. Halifax forward Troy Reynolds comes in the offensive zone but his shot is stopped by Big Fudge. Dylan Karlsson takes the rebound but is immediately denied by Big Fudge's defenseman partner Scott Niedermayer Jr.. Halifax's Clifton Outlaw thinking they won't be denied a third time grabs the puck and shoots it directly at Big Fudge's kneepad shortly after.

The first penalty of the game goes to David Vent for hooking on Jimmy Slothface. Halifax deploys their first powerplay unit in hopes of getting an early lead in the game. They clearly hit a wall when Vivian Leblanc makes brilliant saves on multiple Halifax players to shut them down.

The Knights dump the puck into the Raiders zone for a lineup change. Touncie Bitties retrieves the puck and passes it to Matt Kholin at the blue line. The centerman hands it off to Troy Reynolds who skates into the offensive zone and sends the puck over to Clifton Outlaw. The young prospect shoots the puck as soon as it hits his stick which makes it into the net right below Leblanc's blocker.

David Vent tries to clear the puck but it goes over the boards into the stands. He is sent to the penalty box for delay of game. Halifax set up their second power play unit after the puck is dumped into their end. Mikael Choybuk picks it up and sends it over to Mr. Faceoffs, who moves the puck into the Kelowna's defensive zone and leaves it at the blue line for Dominic Montgomery. The newly appointed captain shoots the puck but is blocked by centerman Nickolas Klaus. Montgomery winds up and shoots the rebound puck which flies straight into the net.

Goals: 

  Clifton Outlaw (3) 13:22 - Assisted by Troy Reynolds (1), Matt Kholin (4)
  Dominic Montgomery (2) 17:03 (PP)  - Assisted by Mr. Faceoffs (8), Mikael Choybuk (4)

2nd period

The great rookie Karlstraße Scholz retrieves the puck in front of the Halifax goalie but his shot is denied by Mike McKorsy. After the play ends, the Raiders captain slashes the young 1st rounder and is immediately sent to the penalty box on a double minor. The Kelowna players set up their power play and quickly passes the puck around to try to make McKorsy move as much as possible in his net. Guy Zheng proves to be already a valuable member of the Kelowna defensive corps as he takes matters into his own hands to control the power play and slaps the puck after Halifax's Desmond Carey tried to block it a second time but failed. Young goaltender McKorsy fails to see the puck and it goes into the net for Zheng's first goal in the SMJHL.

A great play by the Kelowna Knights after the Halifax players fail to control the puck in their own zone to tie the game early in the second period. Bobby Sharp and David Vent created the play themselves by setting up Dick Clapper with an easy wide open goal.

Late in the second, Nathan Explosion stays true to his name with a great zone entry while the Raiders players have tired legs. His shot misses wide but manages to score his first goal in the SMJHL on the rebound. The great play by Explosion sends Kelowna in the lead for the first time in the game. 

Goals: 

  Guy Zheng (1) 2:05 (PP) - Assisted by Vladislav Konstantin (6), Sanyi Kocsis (7)
  Dick Clapper (3) - 4:22 - Assisted by Bobby Sharp (3), David Vent (2)
  Nathan Explosion (1) 15:19 - Assisted by Dick Clapper (5), Scott Niedermayer Jr. (2)

Third period

Coming off yet another third period from behind, the Halifax Raiders will try to come out on top after tonight's game to win their first win of the season. However, Kelowna has other plans in mind for tonight.

The Knights' first line shows yet again the opposing team who will win tonight by moving the puck deep from their own end to behind McKorsy's net in just a few seconds.

The Raiders players are getting desperate for a goal to come back in the game, but the Knights don't want to hear any of it. Halifax's Choybuk is caught holding Vladislav Konstantin along the boards and is sent to the penalty box. Halifax has once again no answers for Kelowna's power play units as they move the puck seemlessly between their players to put it in the net. 

Late in the third, unaware that the game ends in 2 minutes, the Raiders' second line players move the puck intro the offensive zone to try to make something happen. A week shot by Choybuk is deflected by Rainbow Dash to lessen the gap between the two teams. Unfortunately, there is not enough time for Halifax to make something else happen, and Kelowna leave the ice with another win under their belt. Halifax will have to wait once again for their first win.


Goals:

  Nickolas Klaus (6) 0:22 - Assisted by Sanyi Kocsis (8), Karlstraße Scholz (6)
  Nolan Sawchuk (5) 15:42 (PP) - Assisted by Nickolas Klaus (7), Karlstraße Scholz (7)
  Rainbow Dash (1) 18:31 (PP) - Assisted by Mikael Choybuk (5), Dominic Montgomery (6)

3 stars:

  1. Nickolas Klaus (1G, 1A)
  2. Dick Clapper (1G, 1A)
  3. Nolan Sawchuk (1G)