Ryan Graham, Observer Reporter
The Quesnel Kangaroos kicked off their playoffs last weekend against the Smithers Steelheads as they began their journey to the Coy Cup. Quesnel, who was ranked number five coming into the playoffs took, on the second ranked Steelheads, losing 7-5 in a close contest.
Both teams would come out strong showing their skill on the ice with end-to-end rushes and crisp passes to begin the game, but couldn’t cash in as both goaltenders were standing on their heads in the early part of the game.
Quesnel would finally take advantage of their sustained offensive zone time midway through the period as their leading scorer in the regular season, Justin Fulton would wire one past David Little of Smithers to put the Kangaroos up one, scoring the important first goal.
After surrendering the early goal the Steelheads would draw even and seconds later they would add another to take the two-goal lead.
With the period coming to a close the Steelheads would dominate puck possession as they had a number of quality scoring chances to further their lead, but Quesnel’s Shane Mainprize would make a number of saves to keep the Kangaroos close as they headed to the intermission only down one.
The second would see the Steelheads continue their momentum as they would score two more, chasing Mainprize from the net. After the change in net the Kangaroos responded with a marker of their own, courtesy of captain Waylon L’Heureux who fired a shot blocker side to finally swing the momentum back in Quesnel’s direction.
The Kangaroos would carry the play for a while, but Smithers would cause a turnover and would not miss their opportunity as they took it into Quesnel’s zone and fired a shot past Reign Turley to increase their lead.
The third would see the Steelheads once again jump out in front as they scored their sixth of the game, putting the Kangaroos in a big hole. After the goal, Quesnel would finally pick up the pace as they controlled the play and capitalized on their chances, scoring three straight with Lane Vandewetering and Brett and Coltin DeFrais lighting the lamp.
Now only down two, Quesnel was dictating the pace and making Smithers play defence for the first time in the game, but the Steelheads would once again force a turnover and score their seventh of the game, putting the game out of reach.
This was the first of a threegame series with the second game Feb. 11 in Smithers and if necessary game three will be Feb. 12 also in Smithers. Heading into game two the Kangaroos will have to give a complete 60-minute effort and capitalize on their scoring chances when the opportunity presents itself to even the series up.
The winner of this series will advance to round two where they will face the number one ranked team in the regular season, the Williams Lake Stampeders.
