KODIAKS WRAP UP FIRST PLACE WITH TIGHT WIN OVER COLTS

The Camrose Kodiaks are going to the semi-finals of the 2008 RBC Cup the same way they came into the tournament – as the number one seed.

Camrose, the top-ranked Junior A team in Canada according to the Canadian Junior Hockey League, got goals from David Andreassen and Mike Connolly to pull out a 2-1 win over the Cornwall Colts on Wednesday night, wrapping up first place in the round robin.

Twice in their previous four trips to the National Junior A Championship – in 2001 and 2003 – the Kodiaks were the number one team after the preliminary round, but only once, in 2001, were they able to claim the national championship.

With both teams having already locked up semi-final berths, the game was about first place, and who would arguably have an easier road to the championship game.

Camrose came out with the momentum early, with the top line of Connolly, Joe Colborne and Jesse Todd keeping the Colts hemmed into their own zone for much of the game’s opening minutes.

It wasn’t until late in the first period, though, that the Kodiaks finally got on the board, as Andreassen tipped a Karl Stollery shot past Cornwall goaltender Justin Roethlingshoefer for a 1-0 lead.

Camrose headed to the dressing room up by a goal, holding an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal.

After being denied on numerous chances in the opening 20 minutes, the big line struck for the Kodiaks just 3:02 into the second as Connolly picked up a blocked shot in the slot and snapped the puck far side on Roethlingshoefer to give the Pacific Region champions a 2-0 lead.

Undaunted, the Colts came back with pressure of their own, and pulled to within a goal just past the period’s midway point when Darcy Findlay – who has been arguably Cornwall’s best player in the tournament – batted the puck past Camrose netminder Allen York.

The Kodiaks dominated the third period, outshooting the Colts 11-2 – they had a 29-11 advantage overall – although Findlay had what would have been his second of the game disallowed midway through the period.

For the second straight game Roethlingshoefer was named player of the game for the Colts, while Dylan Olsen, who picked up an assist and had a solid game on the Camrose blueline, picked up the honour for the Kodiaks.

Camrose wraps up the round-robin portion of their tournament on Thursday night when they face the Oakville Blades at 7:00 p.m. ET.

LISTEN! – PAC head coach Boris Rybalka’s thoughts on the game
LISTEN! – HST head coach Ian MacInnis’ thoughts on the game