Ryan Graham, Observer Reporter
The Quesnel Kangaroos came up short in their first game of the second round against the Williams Lake Stampeders last weekend, losing 6-2.
The Kangaroos came flying out of the gate as they took the play to Williams Lake in the opening minutes, scoring two quick ones. The first came 12 seconds into the game as they got the crowd into it early, courtesy of Alessio Tomassetti on a beautiful play.
Tomassetti would win the face off giving Quesnel possession and would follow it up by getting into scoring position and capitalizing on his chance, as he fired a wrist shot home past the outreached glove of Williams Lake’s Justin Foote.
Seconds later the Kangaroos would strike again as Riley Marsh would get around one defender and deke the other, finishing off the play by beating the goaltender on the backhand. After allowing two straight goals Williams Lake would get their act together as they added two of their own to tie the game at two, quieting the crowd.
The second would see both teams show their defensive prowess as neither would give many odd man rushes and allowed their goaltenders to see every puck that came their way.
As the period came to a close Williams Lake would cause a turnover and take advantage as they capitalized on their chance to take the one goal lead. Neither team would add another goal in the period as Williams Lake would head to the intermission with the lead.
The third would see the Kangaroos push the pace in the opening minutes as they controlled possession of the puck and had a number of scoring chances, putting the Stampeders on their heals.
After weathering the Kangaroos attack Williams Lake would take the play to Quesnel and open up their lead as they put three goals past Quesnel’s Shane Mainprize, which the Kangaroos couldn’t recover from. Game two of the series will be Feb. 25 in Williams Lake and if necessary game three will be played Feb. 26.
The Kangaroos finished the season in fifth place with a record of six wins, nine loses and one overtime loss for 13 points, while Williams Lake finished first in the league with 12 wins and four losses for 24 points. Quesnel will now look to even the series at one in game two as they hope to extend their season.
The winner of this series will play either the Terrace River Kings or the Prince Rupert Rampage in the league final.