It may be a new year for the Terrace River Kings, but they’re not giving up their fierce fighting spirit.
In a tough battle against the Kitimat Ice Demons, the River Kings continue to cling onto the top spot in the CIHL with their 9-6 win on Jan. 4 at the Terrace Sportsplex.
General manager Ross Smith says it was a hard start to the game after not playing for three weeks, but was glad to see the team quickly regain their strength on the ice.
The first period was troublesome for the River Kings as Demons centre Tayden Fowler took hold of the arena with a swift goal only 45 seconds into the game. Then within another four minutes, centre Josh Slanina snuck another shot into the Kings’ net.
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With the Kings skating hard to defend their side, forward Connor Beauchemin with the help of Luke Gordon and d-man Colten Braid broke the spell at 11:06 on the clock. Their charm was challenged when Demons’ Slanina once again throw another puck into their net in the last three minutes of the period, bringing the score to 3-1.
Period two required another warm-up as the Demons’ Fowler scored the fourth goal for the Kitimat squad.
But his team was too quick to celebrate as the Kings showed some teeth and scored two goals within a minute of one another to come within one of Kitimat.
When the third and final period came, the River Kings were hungry for another win and they weren’t going to let Kitimat start the year off with any joy.
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Demons’ star shooter Fowler tossed another puck in, but the River Kings catapulted four goals in seven minutes before they let Kitimat take a shot again.
Beauchemin, who also proved a knack for shooting goals, did his best to carry the Kitimat team on when he scored into the Kings’ net with 7:50 left in the game — not aware that it would be their last of the night.
The River Kings’ shot up to the top with another two goals, claiming a 9-6 win.
Smith says it was a tense night but he’s happy to see the team work so well together to redeem themselves and looks forward to the rest of the season.
He adds a lot of their support comes from the team’s biggest fan and chiropractor, Dr. Allison MacDonald, who has been present at every game to cheer them on.
The next River Kings’ game is in Quesnel on Jan. 18 against the Quesnel Kangaroos.
As for the Kitimat Demons, they will find themselves shooting flames in a home game against the Hazelton Wolverines on Jan. 25.
natalia@terracestandard.com
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