(above) Joe Colborne, far left, takes in the action Wednesday nightFrom: Hockey Canada Website
The Camrose Kodiaks are going to the semi-finals of the 2008 RBC Cup the same way they came into the tournament – as the number one seed.
Camrose, the top-ranked Junior A team in Canada according to the Canadian Junior Hockey League, pulled out a 2-1 win over the Cornwall Colts on Wednesday night, wrapping up first place in the round robin.
Twice in their previous four trips to the National Junior A Championship – in 2001 and 2003 – the Kodiaks were the number one team after the preliminary round, but only once, in 2001, were they able to claim the national championship.
With both teams having already locked up semi-final berths, the game was about first place, and who would arguably have an easier road to the championship game.
Camrose came out with the momentum early, with the top line of Mike Connolly, DU recruit Joe Colborne and Jesse Todd keeping the Colts hemmed into their own zone for much of the game’s opening minutes.
It wasn’t until late in the first period, though, that the Kodiaks finally got on the board,for a 1-0 lead.
After being denied on numerous chances in the opening 20 minutes, the Colborne's line struck for the Kodiaks just 3:02 into the second as Connolly picked up a blocked shot in the slot and snapped the puck far side on Roethlingshoefer to give the Pacific Region champions a 2-0 lead.
Undaunted, the Colts came back with pressure of their own, and pulled to within a goal just past the period’s midway point when Darcy Findlay – who has been arguably Cornwall’s best player in the tournament – batted the puck past Camrose netminder Allen York.
The Kodiaks dominated the third period, outshooting the Colts 11-2 – they had a 29-11 advantage overall – although Findlay had what would have been his second of the game disallowed midway through the period.
“It was a pretty tight game and their goalie played unbelievable – he stood on his head,’’ said Kodiaks forward Joe Colborne, ranked 28th among North American players on the NHL draft Central Scouting list.
“But we made enough of our opportunities and we finished first. That was our first step here, and we have a few more goals that we’ll hopefully achieve.’’
Camrose wraps up the round-robin portion of their tournament on Thursday night when they face the Oakville Blades at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Camrose, the top-ranked Junior A team in Canada according to the Canadian Junior Hockey League, pulled out a 2-1 win over the Cornwall Colts on Wednesday night, wrapping up first place in the round robin.
Twice in their previous four trips to the National Junior A Championship – in 2001 and 2003 – the Kodiaks were the number one team after the preliminary round, but only once, in 2001, were they able to claim the national championship.
With both teams having already locked up semi-final berths, the game was about first place, and who would arguably have an easier road to the championship game.
Camrose came out with the momentum early, with the top line of Mike Connolly, DU recruit Joe Colborne and Jesse Todd keeping the Colts hemmed into their own zone for much of the game’s opening minutes.
It wasn’t until late in the first period, though, that the Kodiaks finally got on the board,for a 1-0 lead.
After being denied on numerous chances in the opening 20 minutes, the Colborne's line struck for the Kodiaks just 3:02 into the second as Connolly picked up a blocked shot in the slot and snapped the puck far side on Roethlingshoefer to give the Pacific Region champions a 2-0 lead.
Undaunted, the Colts came back with pressure of their own, and pulled to within a goal just past the period’s midway point when Darcy Findlay – who has been arguably Cornwall’s best player in the tournament – batted the puck past Camrose netminder Allen York.
The Kodiaks dominated the third period, outshooting the Colts 11-2 – they had a 29-11 advantage overall – although Findlay had what would have been his second of the game disallowed midway through the period.
“It was a pretty tight game and their goalie played unbelievable – he stood on his head,’’ said Kodiaks forward Joe Colborne, ranked 28th among North American players on the NHL draft Central Scouting list.
“But we made enough of our opportunities and we finished first. That was our first step here, and we have a few more goals that we’ll hopefully achieve.’’
Camrose wraps up the round-robin portion of their tournament on Thursday night when they face the Oakville Blades at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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