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Quesnel Kangaroos pick up win in final regular season game against Nechako North Stars

The Central Interior Hockey League playoffs begin next week
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Peyton and Heath Shelley are ready to cheer on the Quesnel Kangaroos when the CIHL playoffs begin. They brought signs to the final regular season game of the season at the West Fraser Centre on Feb. 12. (Cassidy Dankochik Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

For a game between two teams with nothing to play for on paper, the Quesnel Kangaroos and Nechako North Stars battled hard against each other on Saturday, Feb. 12, with Quesnel picking up a 4-0 win.

It was the final regular season game for each team of the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) season, and both teams were locked into their playoff matchups heading into the game.

Any doubts the teams would take it easy were dispelled five minutes into the game when Quesnel’s Jordan Draper was rocked with a hit referees ruled as a legal check.

The intensity flared between the two teams throughout the next minutes, with the game only superficially resembling hockey as players looked to get in hits and slashes against each other.

The tension was somewhat dissolved after Brady Godsoe and Shaye Forshner fought. While both teams returned to playing normally, neither side was able to find a goal in the first period.

“It was a nitty-gritty playoff hockey game,” Quesnel head coach Harley Gilks said after the game.

“It showed the boys what it will take every game from here on out in the playoffs. It’s going to get tougher and tougher so it’s time to bear down.”

Both teams had played the night before as make up games due to COVID-19 postponements.

READ MORE: ‘It’s out of everyone’s control’: Hockey teams ask CIHL to reconsider fines for COVID-19 cancellations

Alessio Tomassetti had a great chance to open the scoring for the Roos after deking on a 2 on 1 rush, but was denied by Nechako goalie Damien Ketlo.

Draper returned to the ice, and after taking a tripping penalty in the second period would use his fresh legs to his advantage, jumping out of the penalty box, joining a rush up ice and slotting a shot past Ketlo.

Ketlo would meet with coaches later in the period, noting after the game he was having trouble seeing and left as a precaution. He was eventually replaced by backup Kodiak Corcoran.

The Roos were not welcoming to the new netminder. After hitting a post and forcing several saves from the backup, Alessio Tomassetti would double the home team’s lead. All Tomassetti to do was tap in a great pass from Lane Vanderwettering which split open the North Stars defence. The other assist would go to Eli Jarvis, who drew a delayed penalty on the play.

Not satisfied scoring on a delayed penalty, Tomassetti grabbed his second of the game on the real thing, finishing off another nice passing play in the first five minutes of the third period.

The Kangaroos bench erupted in loud cheers for their fourth goal, but it wasn’t because of the score. Justin Fulton’s powerplay tally was his 100th career CIHL goal. Roos players made sure to collect the puck for Fulton.

“It was a good milestone for him,” Gilks said.

“He’s a good veteran, he’s been around for a while, he deserved it for sure.”

Nechako’s best chance to end Reign Turley’s shutout bid came in the dying moments of the game as the visitors had a five on three. Turley would be beaten, but a shot rang harmlessly off the post, preserving a perfect night for the goalie, who saved all 26 shots he faced.

No schedule for Quesnel’s playoff games has been released, as the Kangaroos are waiting on the winner of the Nechako/Williams Lake play in series. The games will start during the weekend of March 4.

“Between those two it could go either way,” Gilks said, pointing to Nechako’s goaltending as a potential difference maker in the playoffs.

“They’re both good, gritty teams.”

The winner of the CIHL will have the right to host the Coy Cup finals after the playoffs end.

READ MORE: Quesnel Kangaroos upset Terrace River Kings with 6-3 win

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com


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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com

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