Despite a 5-2 win on Friday night, the Kings were unable to follow up that effort with 60 minutes against the Grizzlies on Saturday night…splitting the weekend double header by dropping a 6-3 result on Saturday night in Powell River.
A dream start for the visitors as the Grizzlies got the games first goal just 44 seconds into the game as Justin Michaelian potted his 10th of the season for a 1-0 lead. The Kings were able to claw that back midway through the frame through some nice work via Kevin Obssuth down the right wing, seeing up Kyle Kawamura in the low slot to shoot home his 7th of the year and a 1-1 game. The Grizzlies weren’t done in the frame as Shawn O’Malley, after plenty of chances, was put in on a breakaway and made no mistake on Mitch Adamyk. His 2nd of the year gave the visitors a 2-1 lead through 20 with the Grizzlies outshooting the Kings 17-7.
Into the 2nd and it was the Kings to strike first. 8:40 in Callum Volpe got a shot from the left point that caused all sorts of havoc in front. First Kevin Obssuth tried to bury before it was kicked out to Ethan Kimball to the side of the goal for his 5th of the year and a 2-2 hockey game.
Late in the frame, a pair of Grizzlies goals. First Alex Newhook celebrated a return to the Grizzlies lineup with his 7th of the year, followed by the eventual game winner from Marty Westhaver with 2 minutes left in the frame and the Grizzlies held a 4-2 lead through 2 periods. The Kings outshot Victoria 16-9 in the period, but trailed 26-23.
The Kings were again on the right side of the first goal of the period, this time Trent Bell showing good speed down the left side and teeing up Hunter Findlater in the slot for a nice forehand-backhand move on Zack Rose for his 6th of the year and a 4-3 game. However that’s as close as the Kings would get as Westhaver added a second, then Lucas Clark scored into the empty net for a 6-3 Victoria win. Final shots on goal favoured the Grizzlies 33-30.
Mitch Adamyk takes the loss in net, stopping 27/32 and sees his record go to 9-5-1. The Kings fall to 13-6-2-2 but remain in top spot in the Island Division with 30 points. 1 up on the Grizzlies and 3 up on the Clippers with results still to come in on Saturday night. The Kings have two games in hand on both teams.
Three Stars of the Game
1. Jacson Alexander (Grizzlies) – 2 assists
2. Kevin Obssuth (Kings) – 2 assists
3. Marty Westhaver (Grizzlies) – 2 goals
The Kings continue a 4-game homestand next weekend by hosting the Cowichan Capitals for a pair of games at the Hap. Friday 7:15pm and Saturday 5:00pm.
