Photo: Veteran forward Aaron Foster had a key goal in the Border Kings Game 3 win over Paradise Hill on Sunday. Game 4 is set for Friday night in Paradise Hill. – Robb Fenton Photo
By Robb Fenton
Border Kings head coach Kent Staniforth wasn’t happy with his team’s performance Friday night on the road, but has to be pleased with the way they bounced back.
The Kings fell 4-1 to the Paradise Hill Hawks on the road Friday and bounced back with a dominant game, earning the 5-2 win Sunday afternoon to take a 2-1 series lead in the Saskatchewan senior AAA provincial final.
“It was kind of a do or die situation and the guys were ready to go, we were prepared. We had a skate Saturday, regrouped and made a decision as a team that we had to be better,” Staniforth said. “We weren’t good enough and even though they (Hawks) are a team that just capitalizes on mistakes, we knew we had to be better and we were.”
While the Kings did get better, the Hawks found themselves on a steady parade to the penalty box allowing the Border Kings to dominate and score two power play goals.
“We had the momentum going for us, then the penalties absolutely killed us. We did an unbelievable job of killing the penalties, but it just zaps all the energy and takes all the momentum away,” Hawks head coach Jim Marshall said. “We had the momentum going for us and it just seemed like in the blink of an eye it was gone. The penalties were the big player in deciding this game.”
The Hawks jumped out to a quick start, scoring in the first and grabbing a 2-0 lead early in the second on goals by Winston Bothner and Justin Williams.
After the second Hawks goal, it was all Border Kings, as they scored five straight goals en route to the win.
Marshall wasn’t making excuses for his team, but said if they improve their discipline and play more 5-on-5 hockey, they have a chance to tie the series up and push it to a fifth game.
“We just have to find a way to stay out of the penalty box. Who knows if we stay out of the box what the difference would have been. Maybe we don’t lose that momentum we built with a 2-0 lead. Coming off the win, getting the 2-0 lead we felt good, then we started doing things the right way,” Marshall said.
While special teams played a big role the second period was the difference in the game.
The Border Kings dominated, throwing 15 shots on net and scoring twice and picking up all the momentum heading into the third.
“In the first period and the first half of the second it was a little iffy, but we potted those two at the end of the second and I think that really helped, especially the one in the last minute,” Kushniruk, who scored twice in the win, said. “It really put a dagger in them, then in the third period they were dead.”
To go along with Kushniruk’s two, Jordy Dougan, Corey Dallyn and Aaron Foster all scored for the Kings.
With their backs against the wall, the Hawks know what it is going to take to extend this series.
“We’ve been getting excellent goaltending, we have to continue to get that and we have to start getting more pucks at the net,” Marhsall said.
The sooner the better is the mentality for the King heading into Game 4, who can move on with a win.
“We need to be strong down low, tough to play against and we need some success on the power play. Those things will be the key,” Staniforth said.
Game 4 is set for 8:30 p.m. SK time, Friday night in Paradise Hill.