11-26-2018, 10:06 PM
Colorado Raptors at Kelowna Knights
Game 78
3 - 2 (OT)
The young Raptors weathered another powerful offensive attack, being outshot for the fourth straight game, but pulling out a win in overtime. Going into this game, Kelowna was 3-0 in overtime/shoot out games, while Colorado was 0-2 in extra time.
Period 1
Shots: 9 12
Score: 1 0
The teams traded shots and powerplays throughout the period. Colorado killed a penalty in the first minute on Philipp Winter, then killed another penalty against Nico Wallner at 13:02. Coming off the momentum of that second kill, Oliver Dahl took a cross checking penalty at 16:14 and the Raptors capitalized. Kevin Maddox beat Scott Foster just 22 seconds into the powerplay, off a pass from rookie Konstantin Voloshin to Sachimo Zoidberg, Jr, across the point to Maddox for his second of the year and first of the night. Colorado forward Keegan Angello went off for hooking a minute and a half later, but the Raptors were able to kill another Knights power play.
Period 2
Shots: 7 (16) 9 (21)
Score: 0 (1) 2 (2)
The period opened with Boris Denisovich drawing a tripping call on Vladimir Vaskov. Despite their strong play in period 1, the Raptors surrendered a power play goal shortly after. Tye Maximino dangled around Nico Wallner and feathered a pass to Justin Siddals, who slid the puck back to the point, where Antonio Calculon crushed the puck for his first goal of the season. Rasmus Rasmus took a roughing penalty just 46 seconds later, allowing Colorado the chance to break the tie. They failed to do so, and then the teams traded chances at even strength. Vaskov fumbled the puck in the neutral zone, creating a partial breakaway for Kelowna rookie Nolan Sawchuk. Rather than allow the forward a chance at Crawfling, Vaskov hauled him down with his stick and went to the box at 7:25. Kelowna failed to answer, and looked like they would go into the third tied 1-1. Maximino had other plans, burying a rebound from a Siddals shot with just 33 seconds remaining. The Knights went into the second period with a one goal lead.
Period 3
Shots: 3 (19) 7 (28)
Score: 1 (2) 0 (2)
Kelowna made adjustments between periods and tightened their defense, holding the Raptors to just three shots in the last 20 minutes. Colorado’s offense was further stifled by three ill-timed penalties. Philipp Winter was called for tripping early in the period, leading to Kelowna’s sixth power play chance, but the Knights failed to convert.
Despite the stifling defensive play of the Knights, Alex Winters was able to sneak a shot past Foster at 11:20 to tie the game. Philipp Winter protected the puck along the half boards, then tipped it back to Wallner at the point. Wallner nearly lost control, but hot-potatoed the puck to Winters, who deked once and flipped a backhander past Foster. That was the last of the offense for the Raptors, as Keegan Angello took his second and third penalties in short order (holding the stick at 13:19; holding at 17:29), effectively killing any offensive momentum for his team. Despite this turn, Colorado was able to keep the puck out of their net.
Scottey Crawfling was out of his mind, trapping pucks and challenging shooters at all opportunities.
Overtime
Shots: 2 (21) 0 (28)
Score: 1 (3) 0 (2)
The teams entered the extra frame with all the momentum Kelowna’s way. Rookie Nickolas Klaus killed that with a hooking penalty at 0:36 of overtime. In the ensuing powerplay, Colorado took two shots, including Philipp Winters fluttering snap shot that beat Foster high stick side for the game winner. The infatigable top pairing of Maddox and Zoidberg recorded the power play assists on the goal, their 16th and 13th, respectively.
Three Stars
1. Kevin Maddox
2. Tye Maximino
3. Sachimo Zoidberg Jr
The Raptors improve to 9-9-2 on the season and have won three of their last five. The Knights have dropped four of five and seven of their last nine. After a blistering 7-1 record to start the year, the Knights now sit at 10-9-1. The teams will play once more on Day 42 at InGEN Arena. Kelowna leads the season series 3-1-1.