Kodiaks take down Wolf Pack

A big 4-1 home win over one of the top teams in the Tom Shaw division is “a huge psychological boost for the Kodiaks,” according to Kodiaks GM Rick Harkins.

The win over the North Vancouver Wolf Pack also pushed the Kodiaks into the top spot on their Harold Brittain division.

The Kodiaks hustled all three periods on Dec. 17 at Aldergrove Arena and it paid off handsomely. The Kodiaks were up 2-0 at the start of the second period, with a power play goal by Jordan Funk, assisted by Brandon Dolby and Quinncy Leroux at 16 minutes, followed by an unassisted goal by Leroux just before the Buzzer rang.

Kodiaks Cameron Davitt scored early in the third, assisted by Wyatt Versluis, but the 3-0 lead was short-lived as Wolf Pack’s Daniel Delbianco scored their only goal at the eight minute mark.

It was end-to-end action throughout the third period but only Kodiaks Elvis Jansons, assisted by Eric Callegari, was able to score for the 4-1 outcome.

The Wolf Pack outshot the Kodiaks 45-36, but were unable to score on their two power plays. The Kodiaks scored on one of eight power plays.

First star of the night was Kodiaks keeper Ben Giesbrecht, for turning aside all but one of the 45 sots on his net. Second and third stars went to Leroux and Funk, respectively.

The Kodiaks, Langley Knights and Abbotsford Pilots are tied at 32 points apiece, but having a game in hand puts the Kodiaks on top. The Kodiaks stand at 32 points after 28 games (13-9-2-4).

The Kodiaks face the Knights Dec. 18 at George Preston Arena and the Delta Ice Hawks Dec. 23 at Ladner Leisure Centre.

The Kodiaks’ final home game of this calendar year will be on a Monday, Dec. 29, 7:15 p.m. against Ridge Meadows Flames.

Aldergrove Kodiaks’ goalie Ben Giesbrecht successfully defended his net from an onslaught of shots by the visiting North Vancouver Wolf Pack, Dec. 17.