Game 34: Kelowna Knights vs Halifax Raiders
Score: Kelowna 4 - Halifax 5

Game Link
The game was 60 minutes of high scoring hockey between two evenly matched teams. It came all the way down to the final minutes almost featuring one of the biggest comebacks of the season. The Knights clawed back into the game from a 5-1 deficit to get the game to 5-4 with eight minutes’ left. Unfortunately for the Knights, the Raiders locked it down and held onto the lead to take it 5-4 in regulation.

1st Period

The first period was a high scoring affair for the Raiders, featuring three of their five goals, as well as one from the Knights. The first goal came 5:48 into the game off a shot from Fred Toucher. The Raiders had been holding the puck in the Knights end for a significant amount of time when an errant shot from Blake Battle found its way on net being easily pushed behind the net by Max Smith-Frey, where it was picked up by Battle. The entire Raiders and Knights team had decided to change up lines giving a chance for Battle to find Blake Fenrir at the blueline in the confusion. Fenrir then made a quick pass across the blue line to Toucher for a one timer. Touchers shot flew just under the blocker of Smith-Frey finding the back of the net.

The second goal, also by Halifax, was scored by Solaire Azarov 12:24 into the game. The play started with Justs Sirmais of the Knights being thrown out of the faceoff dot, and Michael Burrows coming in to replace him. With an easier opponent in the drawing, Alex Reed won the faceoff cleanly to the stick of Azaire. Azaire let go a quick shot from the top of the circle

The third goal came 30 second later for Raiders. This one was Pietra Volkova's first career goal. The puck was brought into the zone by Azaire who left a drop pass for Viktor Lindstrom. Lindstrom threw the puck across the ice to Reed, who one timed it right back. Lidstrom then continued this impressive show of passing by one time it to Azaire in the corner, who then sent it right back to Lindstrom who had move to the half boards. All of these passes had muddled the Knights defenders enough that Volkova could easier find an opening in the slot. Lindstrom hit her with the pass. Volkova took one step then ripped a shot right under the glove of Smith-Frey.


Volkova's first career goal at 12:55 into the first period

The fourth goal gave the Knights a much needed tally just moments before the first intermission. An errant pass attempt by Reed was intercepted by Vasily Horvat in the neutral zone, who poked checked it straight to the stick Burrows. Burrows grabbed the puck and deked through two defenders then ripped a shot into the top left corner of the net. This made the game 4-1, bringing the Knights to within three going into the intermission.


Burrows goal at 19:51 into the first period


2nd Period

The second period featured another high scoring affair, with three goals. The first came only 3:25 into the period. It arose from a two on one with Battle and Matthew Shea coming in on the defense. Battle threw the puck over to Sea in the neutral zone. Shea skated the puck into the zone and ripped a wrist shot on net. The shot hit one of the Cara Hohenburgs in the face, knocking her down. Battle was tied up with the Hohenburg up until the shot and the puck dropped right on his stick. Battle slid the puck past Smith-Frey for a goal. Hohenburg was not injured on the play and would return the next shift.


Battle’s goal at 3:25 into the second period

The sixth goal of the game came a minute later at 4:27 into the period on a Raiders powerplay. The goal was scored by Niklas Flower making it the first of his career. The goal began with the puck being carried into the Knights’ zone by Kip O’Callahan, who promptly lost control of it. It was picked up by Lindstrom in the corner, who sent a blind pass into the slot. It was received by Flower, who ripped a shot blocker side. The puck rebounded straight back to Lindstrom. Lindstrom took a quick peek around before deciding to pass it back to Flower, who had now moved up to the hash marks alongside the boards. This time Flower would make no mistake, burying straight it over the glove of Smith-Frey. This made the 5-1 less than 25 minutes into the match.


Flower’s first career goal 4:27 into the second period

10 minutes later at 14:49 Dieter Dominique scored on the power play to make it 5-2. This goal arose only 4 seconds into the power play. Bent won the draw straight to Dominique. Dominique made no mistake, like usual, and ripped the puck straight over blocker of Richard C. Hocolate.

3rd Period

The third period got very interesting this game. The Knights were able to score two more goals making the final ten minutes of the game very tight. The first goal of this period came at 7:19 on the power play again. This goal was scored by Dominique, making it a multi goal performance for him. The play started with a long stretch pass by Aitokallio, who had been put in to replace Smith-Frey, to Adriana Starosta in the neutral zone. Starosta then left a drop pass for Dominique, who was skating up the middle with a full head of steam. Dominique then pulled off a beautiful goal, deking right between the Raiders defenders before going in on goal and making another move on the goalie. Hocolate had no chance of stopping this wonderful move by Dominique making the game 5-3.


Dominique’s second goal of the night at 7:19 into the third period

The Knights would then get another goal just over a minute later to pull within one. The goal came courtesy of Wilhelm Huber, marking his first tally of the season. The play started off an errant shot by Shirobokov. The shot missed an rimmed around the boards. Huber, who had just got on the ice, was in prime position along the boards in the Raiders end to pick up the puck. Huber fired a slap shot on net which hit the shoulder of Hocolate before flipping softly into the net.


Huber's first career goal at 8:48 into the third period

This is where the scoring in the game would end, leaving a final score of 5-4 in favour of the Raiders.

Three Stars
3: Michael Burrows: 1G, 1A, 2S
Burrows was a large part of the Knights attempted comeback. He chipped in a goal and an assist earning himself third star of the game.

2: Blake Battle: 1G, 1A, 4S
Battle had himself an exceptional game. Without him the Raiders would not have been able to hold onto this game. This earned him the third star of the game.

1: Dieter Dominique: 2G, 5S, 3H
Dominique had a huge game. He showed that he is one of the most elite players in the SMJHL with his performance tonight. It was a well earned first star for him with his 2 big goals.