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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A tied score that pushed the game into sudden death led to a nail-biting final at the Fort Simpson Men's Recreational Hockey Tournament.

Liam Hardisty of Fort Simpson looks up ice to pass for his team, Nogha, during the consolation final against the Nahanni Inn Flyers. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The Fort Providence Bulls faced off against Hay River on Sunday afternoon in the host community. The Bulls had gone undefeated up to that point in the tournament, winning all four of their round-robin games, including 5-4 against Hay River in a shootout, and a semi-final game.

In the final, the action was quick paced. Hay River scored the first goal and the two teams proceeded to trade goals back and fourth.

With three minutes left in the second period, Hay River scored to tie the game 3-3. Despite multiple attempts, the third period passed without any pucks making it into either net.

As fans from both Fort Providence and Fort Simpson watched in the stands, the game went into overtime. Three minutes in Kiel Krutko scored the deciding goal, giving the Bulls a 4-3 win.

It was a good game, said Michael Vandell, the Bulls captain. Vandell said the Bulls also won the tournament in Hay River a month ago.

"They always have a good team," he said about Hay River.

Vandell credited good passing and skating by the players for the his team's success. Two of the team members were recognized with individual awards.

With 10 points Michael Krutko was named the top scorer. Kiel Krutko won the most valuable player award for showing sportsmanship both on and off the ice. Sean McDonald of Hay River was named the top goaltender.

Tension was also evident in the consolation final at the tournament. The game pitted Nogha, a team that was only established last year, against the usually dominant Nahanni Inn Flyers.

The Flyers established an early lead of 2-0 in the first period, but Nogha came back to tie the game before the buzzer rang. The Fort Simpson teams followed a similar pattern in the second period. At one point the score stood 5-3 for the Flyers until Nogha scored two goals with just over three minutes left on the clock.

Tied at 5-5 the teams went to a shootout. The Flyers emerged as the winners with goals by Chris Stipdonk and Josh MacKenzie.

"It was a really good game," said Darren Hardisty, Nogha's captain.

"I knew it was going to be a tight game."

It was amazing that in its second year Nogha was able to challenge one of the top teams in Fort Simpson, he said. Nogha players showed good skating, passing and positioning, said Hardisty.

All five of the teams that competed in the event were well matched, he said. The Fort Simpson Eagles, the fifth team, were eliminated during the round robin.

"It was good hockey," Hardisty said.

Nogha plans to be at the Kingland Ford Hockey Tournament that, despite being cancelled at one point, is now scheduled to take place in Fort Providence from Feb. 8 to 10.

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