That would be brothers Ryder and Kaiden Korczak, a pair of Yorkton products who would end up putting on a bit of a show for the fans.
The Warriors’ Ryder would finish with a goal and two assists in the 5-4 overtime loss, but it would be Kaiden who had the last laugh, as he scored a shorthanded goal and then added the game winner in OT.
“It was fun playing my brother,” Ryder said after the contest. “Always growing up we were competitive kids and I think he got the better hand on this one, that’s how it goes.”
It theory, it stands to reason that Kaiden would get the upper hand – the 18-year-old defenceman is touted as one of the top rearguards in the WHL and was drafted in the second round, 41st overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Draft this past summer.
But 17-year-old Ryder has put together an incredible season of his own, leading the league in scoring through much of October and currently sitting 16th overall with nine goals and 37 points in 35 games. Kaiden, meanwhile, is sixth in defenceman scoring with five goals and 27 points in 31 games.
The two crossed paths a few times during Saturday’s contest, including one fateful moment when Ryder took a hooking penalty by hauling down Kaiden.
“I kind of gave it to him after because he kind of flopped, but there’s nothing I can do there,” Ryder said.
Given the age difference between the two, the duo have rarely had a chance to play together. In fact, they’ve played only one game on the same team when Ryder was called up to Midget as a 14-year-old, and were on the ice opposite one another last season when Ryder was with the Calgary Hitmen. The younger Korczak got the last laugh in that game, as he scored the final goal in a 5-1 win Calgary. Coincidently, current Warriors forward Kyle Crosbie had the lone goal for Kelowna that night.
But this time around? Advantage Kaiden.
“He’s definitely going to bring it up at the supper table, but I’ll just try to block it out when that comes up,” Ryder said with a grin.
Outside of family affairs, Korczak is happy to see the team heading into the break with points in two of their last three games and having rebounded from a tough loss in Brandon.
“Last night wasn’t our best effort and tonight we had a lot better effort and it showed,” Ryder said. “It was just an unfortunate bounce that led to the overtime goal, but hopefully we’ll come back after Christmas holidays as a more mature team and have a good second half.”
