Photo by Jack Gower, Article by Dylan Baker
Two Kings recorded their first GOJHL goals this weekend, one snapped a 20+ game goalless drought, but the Kings just fell short in two tight games, against St. Thomas and Chatham.
While Komoka is still in search of its first win of the new year, a new-look Kings squad provided significant reason for optimism once again this weekend, in two contests that showed that the young team is taking strides.
Kraayenbrink, Walker get first GOJHL goals
Two players scored their first GOJHL goals for the Kings this weekend. Friday night, Micah Kraayenbrink skated down the left wing in St. Thomas and fired one five hole past the Stars’ Erik Maki, potting his first GOJHL goal. Kraayenbrink was playing in his third game as a King, also in search of his first Kings point, when he scored the goal. He had previously posted six assists in eight games with the Elmira Sugar Kings this season as an affiliate player.
On Saturday, it was Trent Walker’s turn. The second-year defenceman had long proven his value in his own end, but was still in search of his first goal in the league, when he cut to the slot and was set up by Ethan Alexander for a late first period goal on against Chatham, his seventy-second career game in the GOJHL. Walker is on pace to surpass his rookie season point total, which he has now equalled.
Gaitens finds the back of the net again
It had been a long while since Nathan Gaitens found the back of the net. The offensively-inclined defenceman scored in his first career GOJHL game, on September 20th in Stratford, but had not been able to score since – despite being the setup man on many Kings goals since then. Gaitens was set up by Micah Kraayenbrink, with whom he came in on a rush, and tapped it into the wide open net. Gaitens now sits at 10 points on the season, the most by a rookie Kings defenceman (all points coming in a Kings uniform) since Carter Lawrence’s 16 in the 2022-2023 campaign.
More Positives Despite Losses
The Kings fell in an overtime thriller on Friday, by a score of 5-4, but Kings head coach Rumun Ndur thought the team played a good game despite the result: “There was so much to like [about the team’s effort]. (…) We did everything right for 58 minutes. We played a great game, but we’ve got to give that little bit more.”
Right now, the team is young. It has a lot of new faces in the lineup, and an average age of just 17 and a half years old. But Ndur feels the team, now more than ever, is building: “I love coaching this team the way it’s made up right now. (…) They’re so receptive to instruction, they work hard. (…) I think this group is coming around and, like I said, I just love the way this group is made up right now.”
For Ndur’s squad down the stretch, there will be some call-ups in the lineup. The club, as it stands now, carries 10 forwards, six defencemen, and two goaltenders. That isn’t something that scares the Kings’ bench boss, as he said: “They’re at our practices, they watch our video sessions, so they’re used to our style of play. Our AP guys are [good enough for this level], we made different decisions early in the year, but I think these guys are [good enough for this level], and I think that’s why you’re seeing them contribute to our team.”
Other Notes
Ethan Alexander, Micah Kraayenbrink, and Trent Walker each put up points in the two Kings games this weekend, the only players to do so. This brings Alexander’s season totals to 3-8-11, Kraayenbrink’s to 1-8-9, and Walker’s to 1-3-4. Nate Adams and Jagan Chanderdat each got points this weekend. Chanderdat leads active Kings in scoring, while Adams sits tied for second with Alex Akena. Adams sits at 4-9-13 in 14 GP since joining the Kings in a midseason trade.
Top Statistical Performers from the Weekend:
Micah Kraayenbrink: 2 GP, 1-2-3
Ethan Alexander: 2 GP, 0-3-3
Trent Walker: 2 GP, 1-1-2
Riley Alexander: 2 GP, 1-1-2
