Game 90: Montreal Militia vs Kelowna Knights
Score: Montreal 2 - Kelowna 5

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The game was a one-sided affair from start to end. The Militia had a tough game as the Knights walked all over them tonight. It was an action packed night for the Knights as the managed to pucks passed the Militia’s goalie.

1st Period

The first period featured some early action as the Knights were able to score two goals within the first 5 minutes. The first goal came 3:23 into the period of a breakaway for Beau Bent. The play started across the other side ice, with Knights’ goalie Jason Aitokallio. Aitokallio left the puck behind the net for Trevor Wilson. Wilson grabbed the puck and started wheeling up the ice. As he got to the top of the faceoff dot, he made a heads up stretch pass for Bent to go in on a breakaway. Bent walked and was taken down from behind by the Militia defender. Right as Bent was being taken down, he made a quick deke around the goalie to his forehand. He then roofed the puck into the top of the net for the first goal of the game.


Bent’s game at 3:23 into the first period

The second Knights goal came only 49 seconds later at 4:12 into the period. This time scored off a shot by Geronimo Otto. Otto’s chance came off an intercepted pass by Kornel Kasparek. It was a weak passing attempt up the boards Brock Bailey that looked like it was supposed to be going to Kasparek. Kasparek flung the ice to Otto standing at the top of the faceoff dot ready for a one-timer. As soon as the shot left Otto’s stick it looked like it was going in. It blew past Militia goalie Jeff Kirkstone.

After the tough the start for the Militia, Viktor Nerokov was able to provide something that the Militia might be able rally over. This was a beautiful goal by Nerokov, that will be in the highlight real a lot over the next week. Nerokov received a pass in the neutral zone from Filip Granlund. Nerokov exploded down the left side of the ice towards Shirobokov. He pulled the puck back looking to shoot. Shirobokov bit hard going for the block. Nerokov pulled it across his body and went right around Shirobokov as if he was a pylon. Nerokov took a shot on net, but it was easily saved by the goalie. Luckily for Nerokov, the rebound was poorly placed and Nerokov was able to tap the rebound into an empty net to make it 2-1.


Nerokov’s goal at 8:38 into the first period

2nd Period

The second period featured a scoring outburst by Knights rookie, Trevor Wilson. Wilson netter two goals this period to put the game out of reach from the Militia. Wilson’s first goal came just 3:51 into the period. It came off an intercept by another Knights rookie, Kornel Kasparek, in the neutral zone. Kasparek sent to the puck to Wilson along the left boards of the rink. Wilson skating it into the zone taking advantage of the slow Militia defense. He got behind the dmen, and went in on Kirkstone. Kirkstone read Wilson’s initial deke well, leaving Wilson only one option to score. Wilson put his stick through his legs and roofed the puck right over top of Kirkstone’s blocker. This goal was a hug confidence killer for the Militia, who are now down 3-1.



Wilson’s second goal came 12 minutes later at 15:25 into the period. This one came off a beautiful pass by Kasparek. Adriana Starosta intercepted the puck in the Knights zone giving the Knights a chance to break out. She fed Kasparek coming up the left side. Kasparek skated down the ice with speed. He had Wilson coming down the right side alongside him. Kasparek and Wilson came in on a 2-1 against Militia d-man, Ilmari Maata, as Viatcheslav Orlov had been caught on a pinch by Starosta’s pass. Kasparek walked into the zone taking a glance to Wilson at his right then Maata and Kirkstone in front of him. Wilson decided to crash the net, giving Kasparek the option of a shot or try to pass through the dman to a streaking Wilson. Kasparek elected to pass. He made a wonderful saucer pass that sailed over the flailing sticks of Maata. The puck landed right in from of Wilson, who would make no mistake. Wilson corralled the puck, took one stride and shot it short side right over the glove of Kirkstone and into the back of the net. This produced a demanding three goal lead for the Knights with a score of 4-1. Kirkstone was pulled after this goal, leaving the game with a mere 5 saves on 9 shots, a sv% of only 55.6%. Kirkstone did not have a good game, and will need to be better if the Militia wish to win some games.

3rd Period

The third period featured another two goals, one for each team. The first came 11:34 into the period off an innocent looking shot by Anatoly Yanovich. Yanovich simply skated in the zone and threw a shot towards the net in hopes of getting a faceoff and a bit of rest. The shot was towards the top right corner of the net, an easy glove save. However, Stephen Harris made this shot look like an absolute rocket of shot with his sloppy glove hand. Harris went for the old “how do you do” glove save and ended up completely missing the puck, providing clean evidence why he is usually sitting on the bench. This goal completely took the air out of the Militia’s tired, and the game became more about just getting off the ice at this point.

Although, the game was pretty much finished at this point the Militia were able to get one more goal. This goal came at 17:04 into the period off a shot by Johnny Watson. Watson picked up the puck after an attempted shot by Nathan Russett sailed wide of the net. With a large crowd in front of the net, Aitokallio wasn’t able to find the puck after the shot. Watson used this opportunity to slide the puck into the unprotected net. This goal came way too late for the Militia, who lost by a final score of 5-2 after this goal.

Three Stars
3: Kornel Kasparek: 3A, +3, 2SB
Kasparek was an integral part of the three goals that he assisted on. Without him this may have been a much closer game. This earned him 3rd star of the game.

2: Beau Bent: 1G, +3, 3S
Bent had absolutely beautiful goal early in the game. He set the tone for what would ultimately happen in this game. For that, he earned 2nd star of the game.

1: Trevor Wilson: 2G, 1A, +3
Wilson has the clear choice for first star in this game, with his 2 goals and an assist. This was the highest scoring game of the rookie’s career so far. For this, he easily earned 1st star of the game.