The Powell River Kings (25-16-1-0) saw a two-goal lead evaporate in the third period against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (13-19-5-2) Tuesday, but got late goals from Hunter Findlater and Gavin Rauser before holding on for the 5-3 win.
It was the Bulldogs who opened the scoring in the first period. Trevor Cosgrove carried the puck from the right point all the way to the front of the net before roofing a backhand over the glove-hand shoulder of Brian Wilson.
Mid way through the period, Tristan Mullin powered his way down the right wing into the Alberni zone. He chipped the puck past the defender, skated through a hit along the boards and came in on a two-on-one with Kyle Betts.
Mullin sent the puck to the left wing for Betts who fired home his sixth goal in the past three games to tie the game at one.
Wilson made a big save on Cosgrove who had a partial breakaway late in the period to keep the game tied at one through 20 minutes.
Just over four minutes into the second period, Jonny Evans took a drop pass from Ben Berard inside the Alberni end and fired a perfectly-placed wrist shot into the top corner over Brody Claeys’ glove to give the Kings the lead.
The Kings extended their lead nearly 10 minutes later when Johan Steen took a one timer from the left point on the power play. The shot fluttered through the air and into the top corner to make it 3-1.
The Bulldogs took advantage of a pair of turnovers in the third period and tied the game.
First it was Keith Anderson letting go a dragging wrist shot from the slot that went under the glove of Wilson to make it 3-2.
The second was a turnover behind the net and the puck came out in front. Mackenzie Wight spun and fired from the slot and Ryan Steele was able to backhand the rebound past Wilson to tie the game.
The Kings didn’t let the two goals rattle them, and it was their depth players who saved the day with a pair of goals.
First it was Findlater who got the puck on the left wing in the Bulldogs zone and had lots of ice to walk towards the net. He skated to the left dot and fired a wrist shot into the top corner of the net to make it 4-3.
A few minutes later, Gavin Rauser jumped to catch the puck at his own blue line before setting it to himself and passing to Josh Coblenz.
Coblenz came down the left wing with Rauser barreling to the net, and Coblenz sent Rauser the puck with a defenceman draped all over him.
Rauser protected the puck, went forehand backhand and roofed the shot over Claeys to make it 5-3, the final score.
The Kings now head on the road for six consecutive games. It begins with a three-game trip this weekend that sees the Kings in Nanaimo Friday before a double header with the Victoria Grizzlies Saturday and Sunday.
