Ridge Meadows Flames keeper Wesley McLeod did an outstanding job of shielding his net from an onslaught of puck shots by Aldergrove Kodiaks Wednesday, Dec. 5 at Aldergrove Arena.
The Kodiaks peppered McLeod all night long, outshooting the guests in every period for a game total of 50 to 30 shots for the visitors, but some mistakes by the Flames in the third period caught up with them and cost them three goals for a 4-1 loss to the Kodiaks.
The Kodiaks scored early in the first, with a goal by Stephen Ryan at 4:02, assisted by Brandon Dolby and captain Daniel Higgs.
The Kodiaks surrendered their 1-0 lead late in the second when Flames' Connor Redmond scored with 15 seconds left in the period.
Neither team was able to score on their power plays — four for Flames and five for Kodiaks — however, the Kodiaks scored a pair of short-handed goals early in the third period.
First to finally overcome McLeod's defence was Kodiak Adam Callegari on a breakaway at 4:43, assisted by Cole Gastel and Kenny Prato. Kodiak Ryan Veillet scored another short-handed goal at 9:02, assisted by Scott McHaffie.
At 13:47, Kodiak Jackson Waniek ended the game's scoring, assisted by Samuel Ramsay and Matthew Vela.
Callegari and Waniek were awarded the game's first and second stars, respectively, with third star to Flames' Reece Rivard.
The result puts the Kodiaks at 25 points after 24 games (12-11-1-0), seven points ahead of the Flames, but 11 behind the Abbotsford Pilots.
The Kodiaks face some tough competition in the coming week, as they travel to North Delta Devils on Dec. 8 and host Richmond Sockeyes on Dec. 12.