2007 RBC Cup

KODIAKS STILL PERFECT AFTER WIN OVER LUMBER KINGS

Scott Kobialko’s goal 45 seconds into the game stood up as the winner as the Camrose Kodiaks topped the Pembroke Lumber Kings 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon at CN Centre in Prince George, BC, moving to 3-0 at the 2007 RBC Royal Bank Cup.

The Kobialko-Joe Colborne-Mike Connolly trio was the big line for the Kodiaks, figuring in on all three goals for the Pacific Region champions. Kobialko had a goal and two assists, Colborne scored once and added an assist and Connolly chipped in with two helpers.

Karl Stollery scored the third goal for Camrose, who have outscored the opposition 10-3 at this year’s National Junior A Championship.

The win sets up a first-place showdown between the Kodiaks and the Aurora Tigers, who will meet Thursday afternoon in the final round-robin game for each.

“It’s all in our hands now,” said Kodiaks head coach Boris Rybalka following his team’s win. “We win tomorrow and we’re in first place. No help from anyone else, it’s all up to us.”

Allen York continued his strong play between the pipes for the Kodiaks, making 21 saves for his first shutout and lowering his goals against average to a tournament-best 1.00.

Kobialko got his team started off on the right foot, beating Lumber Kings goaltender Paul Beckwith less than a minute in.

Colborne pushed the lead to two five minutes in to the second period with a powerplay goal, his slap shot from the left face-off circle beating Beckwith on the blocker side.

Stollery rounded out the scoring with a powerplay goal of his own early in the third period, wiring a shot from the blueline that eluded Beckwith.

The Pembroke goaltender kept his team in the game, making 28 saves, and was named the Lumber Kings’ Player of the Game for his efforts.

Kobialko picked up the honour for the Kodiaks.

Even with the loss, the Lumber Kings can still qualify for a semi-final with a win in their final game against the Selkirk Steelers on Thursday night.

KODIAKS LOOK TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED; LUMBER KINGS TRY TO BUILD ON BIG WIN

Two teams coming off big wins collide on Wednesday afternoon at CN Centre as the Camrose Kodiaks and Pembroke Lumber Kings meet in the third round robin game for each at the 2007 RBC Royal Bank Cup in Prince George, BC.

The Kodiaks are the only undefeated team at this year’s National Junior A Championship after wins over the Prince George Spruce Kings and Selkirk Steelers. The Pacific Region champions dominated the Steelers in the first 40 minutes of Monday night’s game, outshooting them 31-10 on their way to a 3-1 victory.

Scott Kobialko and Joe Colborne took turns setting each other up in the first period of Monday’s game, while goaltender Allen York continued his strong play with a 23-save performance. York leads all RBC Royal Bank Cup goaltenders with a 1.50 goals against average and .942 save percentage through two games.

After a less-than-impressive tournament debut on Saturday night against the host Spruce Kings in a 5-2 loss, the Lumber Kings bounced back in a big way on Monday afternoon, knocking off the top-ranked Aurora Tigers 5-3. The East Region champions hung tough, picking up the win despite blowing a 3-1 third period lead.

Much as he did all season, Lumber Kings captain Scott Campbell continued to showcase his offensive skills against Tigers, scoring twice. The five-year veteran has three goals and an assist thus far in the tournament, and all of his goals have come with the man advantage.

A win by the Kodiaks could all but lock up top spot in the round robin, while a Lumber Kings victory will put them in prime position for a semi-final spot. Expect both teams to come out revved up after Monday’s wins, looking to set themselves up for the weekend.