Game 4: Detroit Falcons vs Kelowna Knights
Score: Detroit 3 - Kelowna 4

Game Link
The game was 65 minutes of hard fought hockey between two evenly matched teams. It came all the way down to the wire, requiring a shootout to determine the winner. It was a great start to the regular season for both teams coming out with at least one point each. But, the Knights will be more happy getting the win.

1st Period

The first period was a high scoring affair, containing 5 of 6 goals scored in regulation. The first goal come at 8:22 into the first. This was scored by rookie Trevor Wilson with assists going to Beau Bent and Fedor Shirobokov. The goal was set up by a beautiful passing play between Bent and Shirobokov. Bent and Shirobokov made the stunned the opposing defenders with a quick give and go pass. This allowed Wilson go get open on the other side of the ice to received the gorgeous saucer pass from Bent.

The Knights 1-0 lead lasted for for just over 6 minutes when Rising Hippo deflected the puck in to give the Falcons their first goal of the season. This goal came on the powerplay after a hooking penalty by Starosta. After two quick shots by Prince Daniel James and Zach Evans that were not able to hit the net Cikgnar Konstantinov got the puck at the blueline. He then fired a laser of a pass/shot towards the Knights goal with plenty of men blocking Jason Aitokallio's vision. The shot missed however, Hippo was able to get his stick on the puck and deflect it towards into the left corner of the net past Aitokallio.


Hippo's powerplay goal at 14:54 into the first period

The tie was broken just moments later when rookie Geronimo Otto was able to find the back of the net. This come off another beautiful display of passing by the Knights. The play was set up by Shirobokov, who was awarded the secondary assist. Shirobokov made a short but effective pass to Otto to get the Falcons dmen out of posiiton. The puck was then throw back and forth in front of McSieve four times by Otto and Dieter. By the time Otto took the shot McSieve was way out of position and his jock strap could be seen hanging from the rafters of Prospera arena along with the retired jerseys.

The Knights held onto their 2-1 lead until the final minute of the first period, when the Falcons scored two goals within 6 seconds of each other to take the lead heading into the intermission. The first goal was scored by Zach Evans after a bad turnover by Wilson in his own end. Wilson a long cross ice pass that ended up directly on the tape of Viktor Nerokov. Nerokov then fed Evans in the corner. Evans took a quick glance at his options then proceeded to wheel behind the net putting himself in a good position to set up Alexis Metzler in the slot. Metzler faked the shot , making Aitokallio momentarily, before passing it back to Evans for the easy empty net tap in.

The second of the took quick goal occured 6 seconds later from a great individual effort by Jari Sinnika. Nerokov won the faceoff at center ice directly to Sinnika. Sinnika carried the puck just inside the Knights before releasing a a shot directly into the stick of Shirobokov. Unforunately for Shirobokov the puck rebounded right back to Sinnika how continued cutting through the middle of ice. Sinnika let go a bullseye of a shot pinging off the cross bar, just over Aitokallio's shoulder, and flying into the back of the net.


Sinnika's goal at 19:19 into the first period


2nd Period

The second period had less action than the first featuring only goal. The goal came 13 minutes into the period off a bad turnover by Erik Muller. Muller tried to clear the puck out of his end, bad fanned the attempt. The puck slid easily up the boards ending up on the stick of Starosta at the blue line. Starosta sent the puck across the ice to Bent at the right side of the blue line. Seeing Wilson rushing into the zone with a full head of speed down the right side Bent left him a drop pass, allowing Wilson to cut to the middle. Wilson then pulled off one of the most amazing goals I've ever seen, a goal that will be in the conversation for goal of the year come the end of the season. Wilson put the puck through his legs to get around the Falcons defender, then released one of the most deadly backhanders in the league directly into the top right corner to tie up the game.


Wilson's 2nd goal at 13:42 into the 2nd


3rd Period/Overtime

Both teams posted a clean slate in the 3rd period of the game, leading to overtime. The overtime, like the 3rd, was uneventful.

Shootout

Out of the five shooters that participated in the shootout only Starosta could find the back of the net. Starosta had a came down the left side with the puck on her fore hand. She then pulled a huge cross crease toe drag before fire the puck post and in on the back hand.


Starosta's shootout winner


Three Stars
3: Viktor Nerokov: 2A, +1, 9/13 FO
Nerokov was an integral part of the two goals that he assisted on. Without him the Falcons would not have been able to get that two very important goals. This earned him 3rd star of the game.

2: Zach Evans: 1G, 1A, +1
Evans made a great heads up play that led to him being able to get a tap in goal. In addition, to this he was able to produce an assistearning him 2nd star of the game.

1: Trevor Wilson: 2G, +1, 4H
Wilson has the clear choice for first star in this game, with his 2 goals. His second goal was absolutely unbelievable, and a will be right up there for goal of the year at the end of the season. This earned him first star of the game.