TROJANS PROTECT FIRST PLACE WITH PAIR OF VICTORIES OVER VALIANT VOYAGEURS

TROJANS PROTECT FIRST PLACE WITH PAIR OF VICTORIES OVER VALIANT VOYAGEURS
November 13, 2024

LAC LA BICHE – The start was good. Even the middle was impressive. It was the finish that was so disappointing. The Portage College Voyageurs gave the league-leading SAIT Trojans all they could handle on November 8 and 9 at the Bold Center and probably deserved a better fate than a pair of losses (particularly on the Friday night) but untimely penalties and a terrible third period on Saturday afternoon cost the home squad valuable points in the ACAC standings.

 

In the first of the double dip – in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd for Make Noise for Mental Health Night – the Voyageurs played a solid game from start to finish. Twice they rallied back from one goal deficits, including finding the equalizer 12 minutes into the third period on Kaden Kohle's first of the season. Unfortunately for the home squad, an ill-timed high-sticking penalty moments later resulted in the winning goal, as SAIT's Zach Cox found the back of the net with the man advantage with less than six minutes to play. An empty netter sealed the deal, and the Trojans left the rink with a 4-2 win under their belts.

 

Despite the loss, Voyageurs' Head Coach Kevin McClelland was chuffed with his players' valiant effort.

 

"That was a solid game by our club, especially in the third period," he said. "We went at them pretty good and tied it up. And then, you know, getting a penalty there, it just took all of the momentum away from us, obviously, when they scored."

 

With the rematch less than 24 hours later, McClelland hoped his troops could build upon their solid performance and take it up a notch on Saturday.

 

"We gotta be a desperate hockey club tomorrow," he said after the Friday contest. "That was our third loss in a row so now we need to right the ship and get back at it here."

 

For two periods on Saturday afternoon, the Voyageurs came out with the desperation their head coach wanted. They played an almost perfect game, generating chances, killing penalties, getting stellar goaltending from Tresor Wotton, and taking advantage of their limited powerplay opportunities. Carter Yarish sniped his third of the season on the PP off a beautiful pass from Tye Evans to give the home squad a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes. Things were looking good. And then, the third period happened. The Trojans came out guns ablazin,' firing 21 shots at Wotton and potting four unanswered goals to skate away with a 4-1 win. After the game, McClelland was in a decidedly different mood than after Friday's loss.

 

"We gave up 21 shots!" he said, somewhat incredulously. "You know, the guys have got to be better. We worked hard for two periods but like I've said before, you've got to work for 60 minutes, sometimes 70 minutes in this league but we lost another game in 20 minutes…We've got to wake up, man!"

 

The losses dropped the Voyageurs' record to 2-4, still good enough for fifth place in the conference and a playoff spot. However, with Concordia and Augustana playing each other next weekend, McClelland knows that his squad needs to start picking up points in a hurry or the outlook could change in an instant.

 

"They play each other next weekend so someone's getting three points out of both games," he said.

 

Despite the disappointing result, the four-time Stanley Cup champion still showed he had his famous sense of humour intact. Noting that the Voyageurs are slated to play last year's regular season leaders and a squad that's off to another fast start this season, he added with a wry smile and a sarcastic tone: "Meanwhile, we've got a soft cushion coming here. Briercrest!"  

 

Nov. 8 Players of the Game

 

Nov. 9 Players of the Game