By: Mason Detre
Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa West Golden Knights defeated the Brockville Tikis 4-3 in a shootout on Wednesday night inside the Brockville Memorial Centre. With that win, the Golden Knights are 4-0 to start the season.
Both teams traded goals in first and second where Ottawa West had two leads in the game. Brockville would get their first lead after Zach White cut around two Golden Knights defenders on the right side. White would finish the game with 2G / 1A in a three-point night.
Ottawa West would tie the game with the extra attacker on the ice. Sam Brown shot the puck from the right point and it hit off a Tikis player and in the back of the net. In overtime, Ottawa West had to kill off two 4-on-3 power play’s until having some good chances at the end of extra time.
“We talked about it in practice on Monday. I told the boys to stay with the triangle, block shots and if you can let the goalie see the puck,” said Head Coach Steve Sundin on the penalty kill in overtime.
Sean Kearns was able to get the shootout winner where he put the shot off the crossbar and off of Nicholas Ciccarelli’s back to get it over the line. He finished the game with 2G / 1A in his first three-point game of his CCHL2 career.
“I felt like my legs were there tonight, puck was bouncing my way, and had a couple rebound goals,” said Kearns on his big performance. His goals came in the first and second period early during the game.
Kearns now has three goals and three assists in his first four games this season. He is currently on a three game point-streak after not picking up a point in his first game against Arnprior.
The Brockville Tikis outshot Ottawa West 38-34 in the game. Sundin talks about a tough performance against Brockville but was able to get the job done.
“I didn’t think we play very well to be honest with you, but its a side of relief. We were missing four key guys and that hurts. Kearns played a heck of a game, Jared Brush won about every faceoff draw and having to kill off three 5-on-3’s. It shows a good sign that we are a great hockey club when we don’t play well and you still win.”
Michael Gallivan, Daniel Goulet, Jack Haymes and Geronimo Whiteduck were all out of the lineup against Brockville on Wednesday night.
In that victory, Owner/Head Coach Steve Sundin also picked up his 400th win in his coaching career in EOJHL/CCHL2 and his 250th career win while coaching with the Golden Knights since the 2010/11 season. Sundin said it feels pretty good to hit that milestone.
Next game goes under 24 hours from now when Ottawa West takes on the Westport Rideaus in the first of two meetings this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:20pm at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena. You can catch the game on mixlr.com/owgkradio and Hockey TV.
