Vikings explode offensively in Game 1 victory over Tigers

The Vincent Massey Vikings sent a not-so-friendly reminder of just how tough an out they will be this post-season.

The Vikings (3-0) flexed their muscles early and often in Game 1 of their Westman High School Hockey League best-of-three semifinal matchup as they tamed the Neepawa Tigers (2-2) 6-1 at the Sportsplex on Tuesday evening.

Forwards Ethen Church and Addax Egan scored two goals each for Massey, while Joe Balabanski and Vaughn McLeod added singles to help their club cruise to a crucial Game 1 victory. Ian Foster’s power-play goal in the third period was the lone marker for Neepawa.

Church, who opened the scoring for the Vikings 10 minutes into the first frame and then added another for the eventual game winner two minutes 20 seconds remaining in the period, said his team played a complete game for 60 minutes.

“I thought it was a good game. Thought we worked pretty hard, got pucks deep and played a solid team game,” Church said post-game.

The Vikings dominated from start to finish, showing up in a similar fashion to their game last Wednesday, when they closed out a desperate Hamiota/Rivers/Elton/Strathclair Huskies squad in a first-round sweep thanks to a 6-1 decision. Now, they’ll have to rinse and repeat against the Tigers, who certainly didn’t show their best effort in Game 1 and will now look to respond with their backs against the wall for Game 2 in Neepawa tonight at the Yellowhead Community Recreation Centre (7:35 p.m.).

Church is glad to have drawn first blood in a series as short as a best-of-three, as the margin for error is paper-thin, but he is well aware his team will need to raise their game to another level if they want to move on to the final sooner than later. He said he expects his opponents to come out stronger this time around.

“I bet they’ll play harder, come out faster, and play like their season’s on the line,” he said. “It (Game 1 win) is very important, so we’re not chasing the game or chasing the series, so let’s just keep playing from ahead.”

Massey’s three power-play goals, including two from Egan in the second period, was a big part in why it had the upper hand the entire game, but the goaltending was just as important.

Vikings starting netminder Hunter Gregory was his traditional self in the net, playing big and making stops look easy from always being in the right spot. He turned aside 37 shots when it was all said and done, and has now allowed just one goal in two playoff appearances this year. He notched a shutout in his team’s 2-0 victory in Game 1 over the Huskies on March 1.

While Gregory’s numbers during the regular season were strong with 21 wins under his belt, a 2.30 goals-against average and .930 save percentage, he’s arguably been even better when the moment matters most. Albeit a small sample size, he’s peaking at the right time and his attitude backs it up.

“My confidence is through the roof right now,” Gregory said. “It’s just making games easier for me so just got a lot of confidence right now helps, for sure.”

He was also quick to credit the play of his team in front of him, noting his teammates are doing a great job of limiting the high danger chances in the heart of the ice.

“I think I did good, but our defence helped me a lot there,” he said. “They’re limiting shots to the outside, so just easy saves from the outside.”

Massey rookie goaltender Madden Cheung got the nod for Game 2 in its quarterfinal bout last round, so he may be called upon again tonight. If not, head coach Brent Blaine will always have Gregory to lean on otherwise.

In the other semis tilt, the Dauphin Clippers currently lead their series against the Swan Valley Tigers 1-0 after a 9-4 victory late Tuesday evening. The Clippers will have a chance to close out the series tonight in Dauphin.

» mdelucataronno@brandonsun.com