Lack of discipline sinks Trojans

CALGARY, ALTA., (Jan. 20, 2023) - With first place in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) standings in their sights, the SAIT Trojans men's hockey team could not close the deal.

The Trojans gave up two power play goals in the final eight minutes of the third before the visiting Red Deer Polytechnic Kings finished them off in overtime to the tune of a 5-4 decision Friday night at Winsport Arena.

Red Deer stays ahead of the Trojans in the standings with 20 points, while SAIT stays at 18 with Saturday's rematch set to go back in Red Deer at 7pm.

The Kings opened the scoring in the first when Ty Ettinger scored just over five minutes in, beating SAIT goalie Boston Bilous. The Trojans waited nearly the remainder of the period to tie it up when Kaden Hanas finished off a nice 2-on-1 pass by teammate Brandon Machado.

The tie lasted two minutes before Red Deer's Haydon Clayton was sprung on a breakaway and beat Bilous with just nine seconds remaining in the frame to take back the lead.

In the second, the Trojans exploded for three goals - the first by Tanner Sidaway less than two minutes in. Twins Carson and McKenzie Welke each scored later in the period to take a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes of play.

With 20 minutes to go to close it out, the Trojans found themselves making repeated trips to the penalty box - seven to be exact - and the Kings took advantage.

Brenn Davis and Parker Gavlas each scored power play goals to tie the game and send it to overtime.

In the final frame, Kings forward Jake Wozney pounced on a turnover by SAIT at centre ice and raced in on Bilous, beating him to end the game.

Bilous and Red Deer's Erik Miller were named Players of the Game.