The Kahnawake Mohawks took control of their own destiny Wednesday night when they defeated the Tri-City Bandits 10-5.

Thursday August 21, 2008
Source: www.mohawklax.com 

Mohawks down Tri-City, advance to semi-final

By: Greg Horn
K103radio.com

EDMONTON, AB:  The Kahnawake Mohawks took control of their own destiny Wednesday night when they defeated the Tri-City Bandits 10-5. The win against the Bandits guaranteed the Mohawks would advance to the playoff round of the 2008 President's Cup tournament.

Once again the Mohawks started out slow and finished the first period down 2-0 on goals by Russ Heard and Timm Hamm. But the Mohawks came out gunning in the second period knowing a berth in the semi-finals was at stake. Just 40 seconds into the second Louis Alfred scored the Mohawks first goal. The goal was scored shorthanded while Lance Mitchell was serving a four-minute double minor for cross checking. On the same penalty kill Callum Crawford scored the equalizer for the Mohawks.

Then at 5:21 Crawford scored on the power play to give the Mohawks a 3-2 lead. Less than a minute later, at 6:13 Raj Wasson scored his second of the tournament to give the Mohawks a 4-2 lead. At 9:09 Crawford turned his hat trick, and that goal was once again shorthanded.

Tri-City's Heard scored his second of the game at 15:30 on the power play to put a stop to five unanswered Mohawks goals. Mitchell was soon to answer back, scoring two more to close out the second period giving the Mohawks a 7-3 lead.

Going into the third the Bandits tried to mount a counterattack and netted two consecutive goals from Clarke Malcolm and Jarett Dormen at 3:36 and 11:48. But the Mohawks offense proved to be too strong as Crawford, Alfred and Mitchell each scored to close out the game giving the Mohawks a 10-5 win.

The win didn't come without a price, as Mohawks defenseman Sylvain Laroche injured his knee and is most likely done for the tournament. If he is indeed gone for the tournament the Mohawks would be without their top face-off man.

The Mohawks must wait to see how the rest of the teams finish the round robin portion of the tournament to determine who and when they play next. They will either play tomorrow at 6 p.m. (EDT) or 10 p.m. (EDT). Stay tuned to K103 for more information.

Coverage of the 2008 Presidents Cup on K103 and www.k103radio.com is brought to you by Goodleaf's Auto and Recycling and the Caisse Populaire Kahnawake.