Photo by BJ Klompstra
Article by Dylan Baker
The Komoka Kings improved to 2-1 on the season after a high-scoring Saturday victory over the Elmira Sugar Kings on home ice.
The Kings played two games last week, Friday on the road in Cambridge and Saturday at home against Elmira. Friday night’s contest saw the Kings fall behind early and never quite be able to catch up. After falling behind 4-0 in the first, Komoka native Jacob Vandeven got his first goal in a Kings uniform before the period was out. There was no scoring in the second, Cambridge made it 5-1 in the third, before Nash Jacobs scored his first as a Komoka King to pull Komoka back within three, but 5-2 Redhawks would be the final score. Xavier Bussiere stopped 29/34 shots in the defeat.
On Saturday, the Kings looked to pick up their second victory of the season as they hosted Elmira. Brock Lane got his first start as a Komoka King against a high-flying Sugar Kings team. Owen Miniotas got the scoring started with his first career GOJHL goal four minutes into the first, but Elmira got two back on the power play before the end of the frame.
In the second, the Kings scored four goals to take the lead. Denfield’s Ben Siroen scored a power play marker, his first goal of the year, then Nash Jacobs scored his second goal of the weekend, also on the power play, to make it 3-2 Kings. Less than a minute later, Tyson Ackerman found the back of the net with his first career junior goal and the Kings were up by two. Parker Graham then added his third of the year, putting the Kings up 5-2. Elmira got one back late in the second and it was a 5-3 game after 40 minutes.
In the third, the Sugar Kings scored two goals in the first six minutes to tie things up at 5-5, before veteran Jagan Chanderdat found the back of the net on the power play midway through the period to give the Kings a 6-5 lead, one they would never relinquish. In goal, Brock Lane picked up his first career GOJHL win, making 33 saves.
Saturday’s matchup featured lots of power plays, with 17 combined opportunities for the two teams. The Kings went 3/6 and Elmira scored all of their goals on the power play, going 5/11.
A weekend of firsts
There were several firsts this weekend for the Kings: Jacob Vandeven (first Kings goal), Nash Jacobs (first Kings goal), Owen Miniotas (first GOJHL goal), Tyson Ackerman (first GOJHL goal), Jesse Debruyn (first GOJHL point), Philip Castrodale (first Kings point).
An OHL Debut in the Soo
Kings defenceman Shane Neusteter did not dress in Saturday’s win against Elmira, as he was with the Sarnia Sting travelling up to Sault Ste. Marie. The Sting, dealing with injuries and suspensions, called on the second-year Kings blueliner to make his OHL debut on Sunday in the Soo. Congratulations, Shane!
The Weekend’s Top Statistical Performers
Parker Graham – 2 GP 1-3-4
Owen Miniotas – 2 GP 1-2-3
Nash Jacobs – 2 GP 2-0-2
Jesse Debruyn – 2 GP 0-2-2
Nate Adams – 2 GP 0-2-2
Jagan Chanderdat – 2 GP 1-0-1 (GWG)
What’s Ahead…
The Kings are back in action on Friday in Stratford before returning home to host the St. Thomas Stars at 7:15pm on Saturday night at the Wellness Centre!
