For the third time this playoffs and the fourth time overall this season, the overtime game winner came from the Kings Mr. Clutch, Ben Berard as Powell River got on the board in their BCHL Semi-Final series with a 3-2 double overtime win against the Prince George Spruce Kings on Monday night.
A good start from the Kings who came out of the gate flying but were unrewarded early in the frame. Long stretches of play without a whistle seemed to get Prince George into the contest, however it was the Kings to draw first blood for the second time this series as Ben Berard battled in the corner, with a puck spurting out to Neal Samanski who whipped a shot past Evan DeBrouwer, his 5th of the playoffs and a 1-0 Powell River advantage.
On the very next shift, the Kings doubled the lead with a good steal and keep at the blue line from Carter Turnbull who fired a pass into the slot for Kevin Obssuth to score his 3rd of the playoffs in his return game after missing 8 due to injury, and a 2-0 scoreline through 20. Shots 11-10 Prince George.
A largely dominant second period for Powell River that again went unrewarded with goaltender DeBrouwer making some key stops. The Spruce Kings got on the board through defenceman Jay Keranen’s 4th of the year and it was 2-1 into the 2nd intermission with the Kings leading 28-17 on the shot totals.
Into the third and a horror start for the Kings who surrendered the game tying goal in a tough fashion. A floating point shot from Kyle Johnson deflecting off Carmine Buono’s glove and past Matteo Paler-Chow tied the game with Johnson credited for his 5th of the playoffs.
The score stayed tied at 2 through regulation with the Kings outshooting Prince George 38-29. First overtime settled nothing, thanks in large part to Matteo Paler-Chow who stoned Spruce Kings leading scorer Ethan de Jong to keep the game tied up. Into double overtime and the Kings earned more chances, however it was a powerplay in the 2nd extra session that led to a game winner. Dustin Manz connecting with Kyle Kawamura up high, leading to a two minute powerplay that the Kings converted on. A good keep at the blue line from Carmine Buono, feeding Carter Turnbull who rifled a pass over to Ben Berard to one-time home, Berard’s third OT winner of the playoffs and 10th goal overall for a 3-2 Powell River win.
The powerplay goal snaps a skid of 26 straight powerplays without a goal, dating back to game 6 of the Island Division Semi-Final against the Nanaimo Clippers. The Kings went 1/3 on the man advantage, while killing off Nanaimo’s only attempt. Matteo Paler-Chow stopped 40 shots in the victory as the Kings outshot Prince George 55-42.
Here’s our Facebook Live postgame show with Ben Berard and Brock Sawyer:
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Ben Berard (Kings) – 1 goal, 1 assist, OT game winner
2. Evan deBrouwer (Spruce Kings) – 52 saves
3. Matteo Paler-Chow (Kings) – 40 saves, 8th win
The Kings host game 4 of the BCHL Semi Final series on Tuesday night at the Hap Parker Arena, a 7:00pm faceoff. Tickets are available online via http://tickets.powellriverkings.com/
