Kodiaks lose 'mojo' to Panthers
By Kurt Langmann - Aldergrove StarPublished: October 29, 2009 1:00 PM
Updated: October 30, 2009 3:14 PM
Kodiaks' Travis Gorman scored twice against the visiting Port Moody Black Panthers Oct. 28 at Aldergrove Arena, including this unassisted beauty in the second period. However, the Panthers held their 4-3 lead throughout the third and netted two empty-netters in the dying minutes of the game to win 6-3.
Aldergrove Kodiaks have lost their early season mojo, suffering their fourth loss in a row at home October 28 against the Port Moody Black Panthers.
The Panthers, at the bottom of the league with six points in 16 games, earned their third win of the season with the 6-3 final score.
The Kodiaks have surrendered their top of the league standing, with 24 points after 18 games (12-6-0), in a game they shouldn't have lost.
Kodiaks coach Rick Harkins knocked the boys for becoming "soft" and complacent with their beginning of the season lead and says they'll have to change their ways and start hitting hard if they intend to dominate the other teams and get back into the win column.
Harkins noted that last year's champions, the Richmond Sockeyes started out weak but have recovered and now share a top of the league 26 points (12-4-2) with the North Delta Devils (12-1-2). Ridge Meadows Flames are at 24 points (11-3-2) and Grandview Steelers are at 23 (10-3-3).
"All that matters is how you're doing at the end of the season and in the playoffs," said Harkins.
Panthers opened the scoring in the first at 9:06 but Kodiaks Travis Gorman answered at 12:30, assisted by Aaron Heggie and Adam Rossignol.
The second started with a pair from the Panthers, before Kodiaks responded at 12:55 (Joshua Hansen from Eric McEwan and Brandon Long) and Gorman's second of the night, unassisted, at 16:03. However, the Panthers closed the second with a 4-3 lead in the dying seconds of the period. Gorman earned the game's second star that night for his work.
The Kodiaks outshot the Panthers 45-37 that night and put 19 of them to the Panthers' net in the third period but couldn't find the back of the net.
The Kodiaks pulled goalie Evan Thomas in the last two minutes for a man-advantage in the forward line but failed to make a tie, instead surrendering two empty-netters to the Panthers for the 6-3 final score.
The Kodiaks have a week off to regroup until next Wednesday's hosting of the Mission Icebreakers (4-11-0) at Aldergrove Arena, gametime 7 p.m., Nov. 4.
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