Post by Adam (Moose Jaw) on Feb 1, 2023 11:02:54 GMT -7
Game 1 - At the Sutterdome - VFS Starter: Anton Forsberg, HSD Starter: Laurent Brossoit
Houston's penultimate series leads them to Viking to start the home & home against the Flying Sutters in a battle of expansion teams. Viking is known for their slow starts and this was no exception with Daniel Sprong opening the scoring halfway through the first. Huberdeau quickly struck back with a powerplay tally to even it up as Houston started running into penalty trouble. Unfortunately for VFS fans, Huberdeau's goal would be the only thing worth cheering for as Houston scored 5 straight in response with goals from Tavares, Zacha, Jarnkrok, Kulak and Mangiapane. Laurent Brossoit was brilliant in goal for the Sun Dogs as he stopped 48 of 49 shots and made 7 amazing saves on high danger chances.
Final: Houston 6 - Viking 1
Shots: Houston - 45 (8 Hard), Viking 49 (8 hard)
3 Stars
1. Laurent Brossoit (48 saves, 7/8 hard shots saved)
2. Daniel Sprong (1G, 2A)
3. Nikita Zadorov (3A)
Game 2 - In Houston - VFS Starter: Linus Ullmark, HSD Starter: Laurent Brossoit
Viking went to Houston looking for some payback after getting trounced in their last game, and being limited to just one goal for the first time this season. But old habits die hard as Viking promptly gave up the first goal again with Nyquist scoring a shorthanded goal less than 10 minutes in. New fan favourite Isac Lundestrom responded soon after with 2 goals in the same shift, one on a breakaway due to a broken stick, and gave Viking a rare lead at the the end of the first. An impassioned speech by the Sun Dog's coach during the intermission seemed to work as Mangiapane evened the score early in the second with a 5on3 powerplay goal. But unfortunately for Houston fans (and Brossoit after his gem last game), this is when everything went off the rails as Viking responded with 6(!) unanswered goals. Jeannot scored twice (one on the powerplay), Norris scored twice (one on the powerplay), Ryan Dzingel scored in a rare appearance, and finally Lundestrom completed the franchise's first ever hat trick with a goal late in the third. Ullmark also made some brilliant saves to help hold off the comeback.
Final: Viking 8 - Houston 2
Shots: Viking - 33 (14 Hard), Houston 30 (8 Hard)
3 Stars
1. Isac Lundestrom (3G, franchise's first hat trick)
2. Josh Norris (2G, 1A)
3. Tanner Jeannot (2G)
Honourable Mentions: Namestnikov, Huberdeau and Trevor van Reimsdyk all had 3A, with Namestnikov assisting on all of Lundestrom's goals
Houston's penultimate series leads them to Viking to start the home & home against the Flying Sutters in a battle of expansion teams. Viking is known for their slow starts and this was no exception with Daniel Sprong opening the scoring halfway through the first. Huberdeau quickly struck back with a powerplay tally to even it up as Houston started running into penalty trouble. Unfortunately for VFS fans, Huberdeau's goal would be the only thing worth cheering for as Houston scored 5 straight in response with goals from Tavares, Zacha, Jarnkrok, Kulak and Mangiapane. Laurent Brossoit was brilliant in goal for the Sun Dogs as he stopped 48 of 49 shots and made 7 amazing saves on high danger chances.
Final: Houston 6 - Viking 1
Shots: Houston - 45 (8 Hard), Viking 49 (8 hard)
3 Stars
1. Laurent Brossoit (48 saves, 7/8 hard shots saved)
2. Daniel Sprong (1G, 2A)
3. Nikita Zadorov (3A)
Game 2 - In Houston - VFS Starter: Linus Ullmark, HSD Starter: Laurent Brossoit
Viking went to Houston looking for some payback after getting trounced in their last game, and being limited to just one goal for the first time this season. But old habits die hard as Viking promptly gave up the first goal again with Nyquist scoring a shorthanded goal less than 10 minutes in. New fan favourite Isac Lundestrom responded soon after with 2 goals in the same shift, one on a breakaway due to a broken stick, and gave Viking a rare lead at the the end of the first. An impassioned speech by the Sun Dog's coach during the intermission seemed to work as Mangiapane evened the score early in the second with a 5on3 powerplay goal. But unfortunately for Houston fans (and Brossoit after his gem last game), this is when everything went off the rails as Viking responded with 6(!) unanswered goals. Jeannot scored twice (one on the powerplay), Norris scored twice (one on the powerplay), Ryan Dzingel scored in a rare appearance, and finally Lundestrom completed the franchise's first ever hat trick with a goal late in the third. Ullmark also made some brilliant saves to help hold off the comeback.
Final: Viking 8 - Houston 2
Shots: Viking - 33 (14 Hard), Houston 30 (8 Hard)
3 Stars
1. Isac Lundestrom (3G, franchise's first hat trick)
2. Josh Norris (2G, 1A)
3. Tanner Jeannot (2G)
Honourable Mentions: Namestnikov, Huberdeau and Trevor van Reimsdyk all had 3A, with Namestnikov assisting on all of Lundestrom's goals
