Scantlebury's hat trick and effective special teams help RDP Kings sink SAIT Trojans

Brent Forster – Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – In Saturday's rematch between the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and SAIT Trojans, special teams played a role once again.

Tucker Scantlebury scored one of his three goals with the extra skater and the Kings killed off all of their penalties en route to a 6-2 home win.

"The guys played well tonight," said Trevor Keeper, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Hockey Head Coach. "We started with a two-nothing lead and stayed ahead for the rest of the game."

At 17:48 of the first period, the Kings struck with the man advantage. Defenceman Brennan Davis one-timed a shot that Trojans goaltender Braydon Fleming couldn't corral. The puck fluttered behind Fleming and Scantlebury deposited it into the cage.

"Special teams were a key, again. Our power play was one-for-four and our penalty kill went 10-for-10," added Keeper. "We have now moved into the ACAC lead with 18 power play goals scored this season." 

Thirty seconds later, the home team went up a pair.

Kyle Salaway made a long range pass that sent Erik Miller on a breakaway. Miller, a Business Administration General student, cut in from the right side and beat Fleming on the backhand.

Five minutes into the middle stanza, Braydon Jenkins helped the Trojans pull within one.

Soon after, the home team restored its two goal cushion. Jacob Kendall released a wrist shot from the slot that squirted behind Fleming and Scantlebury cashed in to push the Kings ahead 3-1.

Kendall (23)

With 6:15 left in the second period, SAIT's Liam Freeborn snapped it behind Arik Weersink from the right circle.

At the conclusion of a Kings penalty kill, North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game Scantlebury found himself in alone on Fleming – made a few moves and recorded a hat trick high on the blocker side. His eighth goal of the season lifted the home team to a 4-2 edge.

About midway through the third period, RDP's Davis sniped one from the top of the right circle.

Then Easton Haygarth tacked on the Kings' sixth goal with 2:47 remaining in the game, pouncing on his own rebound.

"Easton Haygarth and Brennan Davis scored their first goals of the season," explained Keeper. "Several players had multiple point outings."

Chase Haygarth (two assists), Easton Haygarth (one goal and an assist), Kendall (two assists), Davis (one goal and two assists), Miller (one goal and two assists) and Scantlebury (three goals) offensively contributed to the victory. 

"Jacob Kendall is now tied for the lead in ACAC scoring," added Keeper, of the Bachelor of Education Elementary student's 19 points. "Tucker Scantlebury was outstanding with the hat trick and Arik Weersink put in another solid performance in net."

Weersink (31)

Weersink was sharp, turning aside 34-of-36 shots (0.944%).

Braydon Jennings earned the top player recognition for the Trojans, totaling a goal and an assist.

Fleming made 19 saves (0.760%).

The third place Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (8-3-2-1) will play the fifth seed University of Alberta Augustana Vikings (4-7-2-0) on Friday, February 25 at 7:30 pm.

"Third place is secured and home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs," said Keeper.

Salaway (59)