Thunder Finish Weekend With Three Points After Tie with RDP

EDMONTON, AB (January 29, 2022) – After an overtime win last night the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder Hockey team started the game tonight eager for another win. The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings had other plans, and started the game with vengeance. The game ended in a 3-3 draw for both teams after double overtime. 

The first period started with back-to-back play from both teams. The Red Deer Kings opened the scoring after the first 10 minutes of play with a goal from #7 Hayden Clayton. The goal went unanswered until the second period of play. 

Concordia Thunder tied the game in the second period with a goal from #14 Rylan Nivon assisted by #9 Matt Benko, #2 Scott Allan. The goal gave the Thunder a bit of fire, as they scored again only 43 seconds later. The goal to lead the game was scored by #2 Scott Allan, assisted by #21 Tyler Benko and #14 Rylan Nivon. The Kings did not let CUE hold the lead for long as #44 Erik Miller scored halfway through the second period. The Kings ended the period with another goal by # 23 Jacob Kendall, taking the lead. 

The third period was hard fought by both teams, with fast end to end play. It was not looking good for the Thunder as the third period began to wind down. In the last 24 seconds of the game a goal from #19 Zach Carlson tied the game and extended play into overtime. 

The first five-minute period of over time, with 4 on 4 play saw no goals, which pushed the game into another 5 minute period of overtime 3 on 3 play. The Thunder looked like they were in trouble when Kings player was awarded a penalty shot after a Hooking penalty was called. Thunder Goalie Sam Visscher kept the Thunder in the game with a huge save, followed by another breakaway save. The game ended in a 3-3 tie after 70 minutes of play. With a total of 106 shots on net from both teams, the Goalies received the player of the game: for the Red Deer Kings #35 Kristian Lyon and for the Thunder #31 Sam Visscher. 

Head Coach Joey Bouchard had this to say about the game "We battled hard this weekend. I thought our guys played well. We picked up three out of four points this weekend and we look forward to a good practice this next week as we look forward to next weekend."

The Player of the game #31 Sam Visscher commented after the game, saying "We came out a little flat, but we did a good job of battling back and killing some penalties. It was a real character move for us to come back the way that we did. It is unfortunate that the game has to end in a tie, but we will take the point and learn a lot from the weekend."

You can catch the Thunders Men's Hockey on ACACtv for their next game on Friday February 4th against SAIT.