VOYAGEURS TURN TABLES ON KINGS

LAC LA BICHE – In hockey – as in life – turnabout is fair play, at least according to an old proverb. Less than 24 hours after coughing up a two-goal third period lead to lose to the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings, the Portage College Voyageurs turned the tables on the visitors, erasing a two-goal third-period deficit to record a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory Saturday afternoon at the Bold Center. Ty Budai notched his second of the game at the 1:48 mark of overtime, leading the Voyageurs to their first victory of the season.

"I thought we kind of stuck with it a little bit," said Voyageur Assistant Coach Dave Hyrsky after the game. "It shows a little bit of character when you can come back after last night, you know, with them coming back on us, giving up four in the third. For us to come back today and do it the way we did it is a big boost. Kudos to the boys who showed some character."

The win would not have been possible without the stellar play of Portage Player of the Game Alex Brousseau, who made 38 saves – several of the spectacular variety – in the Voyageur net. He gave a up goal to Jacob Kendall 43 seconds into the game but basically shut the door from there, only allowing a second-period shorthanded marker to Jacob Wozney late in the second period.

"Actually he kept us in it most of the way," said Hyrsky. "He made a mistake to start the game but he definitely made up for it. "

Shaye Sommerfeld got the comeback started, potting his first of the season with less than nine minutes remaining in the third. Budai then tied it with a beautiful effort as he was falling to the ice.

Despite the exciting comeback, fans had to hold their breath as a late penalty call had the Voyageurs shorthanded at during the last minute of the third and first minute of overtime. Unlike previous games where the team found a way to lose, the Voyageurs rallied around each other and didn't allow many scoring chances while killing the penalty, helping to set the stage for Budai's heroics.

Hyrsky credited a pre-game players' meeting with helping to secure the win.

"I think they had a real good meeting at the start of the game tonight and that helped," he said. "Once you start looking in the mirror and looking at yourself and what you're gonna do and not worrying about anything else you can be successful. We just have to continue on that way. Just keep looking in the mirror."

Erik Miller played a strong game for the Kings and was crowned Player of the Game for his squad, who despite the OT loss, grabbed three of a possible four points over the weekend. While the Kings now head home for two games against Briercrest, the Voyageurs now prepare for a home-and-home series with perennial league-leader NAIT.

Hyrsky, in his first year with the Voyageurs, believes that Saturday's win should be a huge shot in the arm for his squad, who were losing confidence as they were losing games.

"Even in the one-goal games, you're waiting for the opposition to get another one," he said. "Hockey's all about momentum and if we can keep the momentum going and have a good week of practice and give NAIT all we've got next weekend, I think we can beat them. Actually, from all the teams I've seen, I think we can beat anybody."