Vikings Edge out the Victory in Back-and-Forth Battle

EDMONTON, AB (February 17th, 2023) - Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder went up against the Augustana Vikings in their second-last home game of the season. The game started out physically right out of the gates. It went back and forth throughout each period with the scoreboard reflecting just that. By the third period, the Vikings were up by a few and capitalized on a few empty-net goals taking the lead 7-4 to finish the game.

In the first period, we saw each side start out with intensity, with most of the play happening in the offensive zones. Augustana opened up the scoring 4 minutes in, but Thunder fight back and #11 Lukas Konashuk responds quickly making it 1-1. We saw more back-and-forth action with  #11 Jack Hamly from the Vikings and #12 Isaac Leik scoring, making it 2-2 heading into the second. The second period continued to rise in intensity with major hits on each side and rising tensions from the bench. #41 Edge Lambert put one in the back of the net 5 minutes in, but the Vikings respond with another 2 goals and finish the second period ahead, 5-3. Throughout the third period, Thunder was fighting to even things out. #7 Keegan Tiringer was able to push them forward scoring in the top of the third and kept the game within reach. In a race to the finish Vikings played with control. Thunder pulled their goalie in an attempt to tie the game, but a couple of unfortunate turnovers allow the Vikings to score two empty netters and finish the game 7-4.

The One Team Sport players of the game were #12 Jase Smalcel for the Vikings with the hat trick tonight and #12 Isaac Leik with a goal for the Thunder. The next and final home game of the regular season for the Thunder takes place February 25^th against the Red Deer Kings, at the Clareview Rec Centre at 7 PM.