Mayan and Vikings take rematch over Kings at RDC

Red Deer, AB – After a 5-0 home setback on Friday, the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings were looking to even the weekend seies against the Red Deer College Kings in the rematch. Backed by a three point performance from Travis Mayan, the Vikings picked up a 5-2 decision over the Kings at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

Augustana applied early pressure, testing Nathan Alalouf with five consecutive shots, but the third-year goaltender was equal to the task. Midway through the first, the Vikings were rewarded for their energetic start. After Alalouf made the initial save, Augustana's Travis Mayan slid the rebound into the back of the net. Shortly after, Kings fifth-year forward Dylan Thudium one-timed a shot that rattled off the left post.

As the period was winding down, the visitors went up by a pair. Lukas Biensch quickly snapped a rebound past Alalouf. Ryan Groom recorded his second assist of the frame.

The Kings began the middle stanza on their toes, but the Vikings defence and netminder Curtis Skip were solid. Augustana bumped their two goal margin to a trio with 4:19 left in the second. The Vikings tested Alalouf from the left side and Jarod Hovde pounced on the rebound.

RDC hit the board with 27.2 seconds left in the frame. On the power play, Trevor Costello's shot was blocked, but Austin Hunter beat Skip with a quick release. Sylvan Lake's Chase Thudium had the other helper.

The late second period goal provided momentum as RDC began the third. Less than a minute from puck drop, Kyle Salaway pulled the home team within one (3-2), but it didn't last long. Travis Mayan went across the slot on his backhand and found space inside the far post, notching his second. Then on the power play, Augustana restored a three goal cushion. Inside the Kings' blue line, Tavis Roch spotted Travis Mayan down low and a quick touch pass across the crease to Ryan Groom put the visitors up 5-2.

The Kings had a three minute power play late in the game and pulled their goaltender for a six-on-four opportunity, but couldn't climb any closer.

Kyle Salaway was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Player-of-the-Game,

Travis Mayan received the award for the U of A Augustana Vikings.

The Vikings outshot the Kings 31-25.

On Friday, Jan. 24, the Kings (13-3-2-0) will host the NAIT Ooks (16-2-0-0) at 7:00 pm. The U of A Augustana Vikings (9-9-0-0) will compete against the MacEwan University Griffins (12-5-0-1) on the same evening 30 minutes later in Camrose.