The Kitimat Ice Demons experienced a challenging weekend, facing off against the Terrace River Kings and the Prince Rupert Rampage in two separate games, with both matches ending in defeat.
January 12: Terrace River Kings Triumph Over Kitimat Ice Demons
In the first game played in Terrace, the Ice Demons were defeated 4-1 by the Terrace River Kings. The game began promisingly for Kitimat, with Ben Gillis scoring on the assist by Derek Wakita and Terry Whelan, at 6:46. However, the momentum shifted permanently in the second period going forward.
Terrace’s Trevor Ebeling scored one minute in, but fans would have to wait until the third to see anymore action on the net, when the River Kings capitalised on power plays, with Chapen Leblond scoring at 10:11 and Connor Onstein at 15:37. Steve Cullis also added a goal for Terrace at 13:44.
Goalies Spencer Krupop for Terrace and Brandon Highton for Kitimat made impressive saves, with Krupop saving 29 of 30 shots and Highton 38 of 42 shots.
January 13: Prince Rupert Rampage Overwhelm Kitimat Ice Demons
The following day, the Ice Demons faced a tough 8-1 defeat against the Prince Rupert Rampage. Kitimat’s Jake Robinson, with a power play goal assisted by Derek Wakita and Maddox Madeiros, scored at 8:31 in the first period. However, the Rampage dominated thereafter, with Judd Repole scoring a power play goal with seconds to spare.
The second period was challenging for the Ice Demons, with the Rampage’s Jared Meers scoring twice, along with goals from Tyler Ostrom, Brody Hemrich, Jean-Luc Rendell-Fournier, and Colten Waldhaus. The third period saw another goal for the Rampage by Waldhaus.
In goal, Kitimat’s Ty Cabral saved 24 of 32 shots, while Prince Rupert’s Kieran Sharpe and Brayden Ferduson combined saved all 14 shots faced.
The weekend matches were tough for the Ice Demons, with strong performances from the opposition in both games.