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By Jeromy Corrigan

Kings come back to Win Game 5 at home

Mar 1, 2019 | 6:27 AM

The JDA Kings are off to the North West Junior Hockey League semi-finals following a thrilling 3-2 win in Game 5 over the Sundown Oilfield Services Sexsmith Vipers.

It was a jam-packed County Sportsplex for the do or die game as fans of both teams piled into the arena.

The Vipers would open the scoring 9:14 into the 1st period as Payton Lappenbush would put one past Will McCreight to make it 1-0 for the visitors.

Just over six minutes later, the Kings would tie the game.

Jacob Begin would spring Louka Richard who would slide one five-hole past Tyson Walker to even the game at a goal a piece.

45 seconds into the middle frame, Sexsmith would receive a huge blow as Blain Moskalyk received a checking from behind penalty and a game misconduct.

Despite losing their Captain, the lone goal in the 2nd period came from Sexsmith on the power play as Max McNeil sniped one top corner from the left point to give the Vipers a 2-1 lead which they would carry into the 3rd period.

With their season on the line in the 3rd period, the Kings would come out guns a blazing, putting everything towards Tyson Walker.

The Kings would tie the game on a power play of their own as Jacob Begin fired one into a yawning cage to even the game at two.

Just 58 seconds later, the Kings would take their first lead of the night.

Corbin Doram received a pass on the right wing and would out wait Walker and slip it behind him to make it 3-2 Kings.

Now trailing for the 1st time all night, the Vipers would begin to press for the equalizer.

Sexsmith would receive a later man advantage when Brent Headon went off with 4:05 left for interference, but it was the Kings penalty killers who stepped up.

The Vipers had several good looks on the power play, but the Kings defenders sacrificed the body and got in the way of shots to avoid a potential tying goal.

That pattern would continue in the last minute of the game as the Vipers pulled Walker for the extra attacker but were unable to even the game as the Kings held on for a 3-2 win.

With the win, the Kings win the series 3-2.

They will move on to face the Dawson Creek Jr.Canucks in the NWJHL semi-finals which begins Friday night in Dawson Creek.

The other semi-final series will see the North Peace Navigators battle the Fort St.John Huskies in a re-match of last years league final.

by Jeromy Corrigan