It's Semi final time in the RBC Royal Bank Cup

By Kelly Sharp

               Spruce Kings go over strategy for the Kodiaks semi -final challenge

The host club for the RBC Royal Bank Cup gets one more chance at the Pacific region powers. The Prince George Spruce Kings take on the Camrose Kodiaks at 7 tonight at CN Centre with the winner advancing to Sunday’s National junior A hockey championship game. The Kodiacs rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Kings 4-2 in the round robin. A goal off a two-man advantage 29 seconds into the third period proved to be the winner. Camrose lethal power play has connected for 9 out of the team’s 14 goals in the tournament.  The Spruce Kings were the second most penalized team during the round robin, a statistic flirting with danger come sudden-death time.

The host club’s power play was not too shabby in four games, posting the second best percentage behind Camrose. Kings assistant coach Mike Hawes knows what to expect from the Kodiaks penalty kill which was an impressive 91% in thwarting odd man attacks.  “They (Kodiaks) have quick shifty forwards that pressure the puck,” said Hawes who draws up the Kings power play units. “You need to move the puck quickly, make the smart pass and do it at a fast pace.”

Prince George defenseman Ryan de Vries is preparing himself for a night of pressure from the speedy Camrose forwards. Smart dumps in the corner set up the Kodiacs forecheck which can cause plenty of hurt on the Prince George defensemen.

“We have to get the puck out fast, take the body when we can but maybe play a more contained game and not get beat out of the corners so let them have the outside,” said de Vries. The 19 year-old defenseman from Smithers says it will be an exciting night with plenty of support from family and friends who will be in the seats for the semi-final showdown.

The all-Ontario semi gets underway at 2 this afternoon with the Aurora Tigers going against the Pembroke Lumber Kings. The juniors from the Ottawa Valley upset the Tigers in the round robin, scoring what proved to be the winning goal on a controversial non-call after the Aurora goalie was spun around in his net.

“It will be another huge test,” said Pembroke captain Scott Campbell. “We caught them a little off guard in the first game.”

The semi-final winners meet for the RBC Royal Bank Cup Sunday at 7:30pm at CN Centre, rescheduled from 4:30pm because of host broadcaster TSN carrying the Detroit/Anaheim NHL playoff prior to the National junior A championship.

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