The Powell River Kings are over .500 for the first time in the 2016-17 season after a 5-3 win over the Vernon Vipers at home. The win was the Kings fifth in a row.
Much like Wednesday against the Nanaimo Clippers, the Kings opened the scoring early in the first period. Newly-acquired Callum Volpe fired a shot from the left point that was stopped by Ty Taylor, but the rebound was in the slot for Curtis McCarrick to knock home for his third goal of the season.
Volpe was picked up from the Vipers after he was released by Vernon.
Just over four minutes later, Cam Donaldson took a pass from Tristan Mullin at the goal line and cut across the crease. Donaldson out waited Taylor and slid the puck past the sprawling goaltender to give the Kings a 2-0 lead.
Late in the period the Kings extended their lead to 3-0 as Johan Steen scored on the power play, his first career BCHL goal.
In the second period the Vipers found their game, and scored two quick goals just over two minutes apart in the final few minutes of the frame.
The first goal came as Tyler Maser knocked home a rebound from a point shot to make it 3-1, before Jagger Williamson scored on a short handed breakaway to make it 3-2.
The Kings would score on that same power play when Donaldson picked up his fifth goal in the last three games off a rebound at the side of the net.
Just over 30 seconds later the Kings restored their three-goal lead as McCarrick came in two-on-one with Gavin Rauser and slid the pass Rauser on the right side of the ice for an open net.
The Vipers would get to within two during the third period as Ryan Brushett scored after a wraparound went through the crease, but the Kings would hang on for the win to improve their record to 5-4-0-0.
The Kings are right back in action Saturday as they welcome the Victoria Grizzlies to the Hap Parker Arena. The Kings dropped their opening game of the season to Victoria 2-1 on September 9.
