Photo by Jack Gower, Article by Dylan Baker
The Komoka Kings battled hard this week against two of the top teams in the Western Conference, but just fell short in two hard-fought battles.
Saturday, the Kings took on the St. Marys Lincolns, the first place team in the GOJHL, and held them to just four shots in the first period. They then allowed two goals in the second, got one back in the third, but allowed a late empty netter and fell three to one to St. Marys.
On Wednesday, the Kings played their fourth game in seven days when they travelled to LaSalle. The team battled hard to keep it two to one after forty minutes, but the third belonged to the Vipers, and they came away with the two points in a 5-2 final score.
Despite the two losses, there were large amounts of pride to be taken from the performances. For Kings’ head coach Rumun Ndur, he was proud of how his team fought to stay in it on Wednesday, despite the busy stretch of the schedule: “I never want to make excuses for my hockey team, but that was our fourth game in [seven] nights. If you look at the game, it was a 2-1 game in the third period and we were right there. But they just didn’t have the legs.” Ndur cancelled Thursday’s practice in order to give the team some time to rest.
Here are the main storylines from this week:
McCandless gets his first in the GOJHL
Wednesday night in LaSalle, Simon McCandless got the Kings on the board in the second period, on a goal from Dylan Lale and Evan Guay. McCandless scored in just his third game with the team. He was acquired last week as a free agent signing for the club, who has slotted in well. He has played throughout the lineup, on each line, and had strong performances wherever he lines up.
Siroen Stays Hot
Ben Siroen, who had come off a stretch of no goals in 15 games, scored in two straight, in Elmira and LaSalle, improving his season point total to 12. Siroen has four points in his last five games (2-2-4).
Chanderdat-Adams Connection
Jagan Chanderdat and Nate Adams have found a groove playing together this season, with both guys putting up very solid numbers when put on the same line. The winger they’ve been slotted with has rotated relatively frequently as of late, but no matter who is there, they seem to have success.
Chanderdat says that is due to their friendship away from the rink: “Hanging out with him outside of hockey has been a really big help. We’re like brothers. He’s kind of like the little one, and I help him out,” Chanderdat said with a grin about his fellow 18-year old teammate, “he still helps me out a lot and I really appreciate what he’s done for me in playing with him the last five games.”
Top Statistical Performers This Week
Ben Siroen – 2 GP, 1-0-1
Simon McCandless – 2 GP, 1-0-1 (first goal in the GOJHL)
Ben Funston – 2 GP, 1-0-1 (first career GOJHL shorthanded goal)
Dylan Lale – 2 GP, 0-1-1
Owen Edwards – 1 GP, 27/29 saves.
Upcoming Games
The Kings are back in action on Wednesday, January 29th, when they visit London to take on the Nationals. They return home on Saturday for their first home date with the Listowel Cyclones. Puck drops at the Wellness Centre at 7:15pm.
