Wednesday night saw a clash between the top two teams in the conference as the NAIT Ooks hosted the Concordia Thunder. It was what you would expect between the top two teams, but ultimately NAIT came out on top.
Things were fast-paced to start, but NAIT got the first lead with a goal from Tyler Robertson six minutes into the game. Things stayed high-paced, but the goalies stood tall for the rest of the period. NAIT led Concordia in shots 12-9 in the first.
1-0 NAIT after 1.
Concordia pressed early in the second while shorthanded. They ran a give-and-go and got an opportunity in the slot, but it was shot just wide, keeping the deficit at one. Things started to pick up physically halfway through the second, with both teams throwing multiple big hits and turning this game into an old-school game.
1-0 NAIT after 2.
NAIT doubled their lead early in the second, with a crucial goal coming from Bryce Osepchuk. Concordia responded quickly with two shots coming from the high danger area in the slot, but Papirny stopped both stops. Concordia still trailed by two. Keeping this momentum, though, Concordia answered with their first goal of the game coming on the power play with just under seven minutes left in the game. The goal was scored by Keegan Tiringer. Later in the game, NAIT got back on the power play and doubled their lead with a second goal from Tyler Robertson. NAIT added another late with a goal from Dylan Stewart to make the game four to one.
4-1 NAIT final. Final shots 30-29 for NAIT.
Both teams look to a good end of the season as they prepare for the playoffs.