Shoot-out ends NKEC, Horton VHSHL action

By Justin Halbersma

There are many hockey rivalries in the Valley High School Hockely league and, while. Central Kings vs West Kings comes to mind, you can now add Horton and NKEC to that list.

When these two teams meet, it often makes for an entertaining hockey game. November 7’s evening match was no exception.

The Titans took to the ice in Canning to face the Griffins. Fans packed the stands and the arena noise reached near-deafening levels as Horton fans tried to outdo their NKEC rivals. At one point, NKEC may have wondered if they were on home ice, as the Horton fans drowned out the NKEC supporters.

On ice, the Titans leapt out to a 2-0 lead, and eventually stretched it to 3-1 with a little over 10 minutes in the third. Ordinarily, the Titans hold onto these leads - but not this night. Two goals in the dying minutes of the third tied the game and sent them into overtime.

The overtime was just as fast as the first three periods. Both teams traded scoring chances and it appeared as though Horton had scored in the final minute. However, officials ruled the puck had not crossed the line and the two teams went into a shootout.

Both teams sent shooter after shooter at the two goalies: it was the Titans’ defenseman Leigh Benjamin who ended the shootout with a laser of a shot to the top corner, beating Horton netminder Jason Boutilier. It was a game neither team deserved to lose.

Vince Cashin scored twice for the Titans, with Reggie Rand adding the single. Brandon Whitney stood tall in the NKEC goal, and held on in the end for the win.

Jake Elliott scored the two goals that sent the game into overtime for the Griffins. Sean Williams added the single. Jason Boutilier matched Whitney save for save. Both goaltenders were spectacular for their respective teams.

This week

It’s a slow schedule, as most teams are attending tournaments. The lone game next weekend has Horton traveling to Bridgetown to take on the Trojans at 8 p.m. November 14.