Game recap is presented by Iris Optometry. Header photo by Darren Francis
Heading into the final weekend of the preseason the Kings would head north to Port McNeill for a double header against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Both team would play in front of a packed house at the Chilton Arena and the fans were treated to a very close battle. The Bulldogs would put the pressure on early but Kyle Metson was on top of his game stopping everything that came his way. There wouldn’t be any scoring until late in the 3rd period when Bulldogs forward Matt Kursonis took a shot from the right circle which deflected off the skate of Kings defenceman Will Jones and went right to Cam Vansickle on the left side who one timed the puck in beating a diving Metson to give the Bulldogs the lead with 3:46 to go. The Kings would try to answer but Alberni goalie Hobie Hedquist was in mid season form stopping all 28 shots he faced. Kyle Metson would make 26 saves in the 1-0 loss.
On Sunday the Kings looked to finish of the preseason with a W and they got off to a good start just 3 minutes in as Branden Toye would jam away at the puck at the side of the net and it found it’s way in to give the Kings the lead. The Bulldogs would answer shortly after shorthanded after the Kings turned it over in the offensive zone and the Bulldogs went in on a 2 on 1 where Cam Vansickle would keep the puck and shoot it past Liam Vanderkooi to tie the game. The flood gates would then open up for the Bulldogs as they would go on to score 5 more unanswered goals to take a 6-1 lead. The Kings would get one back at the end of the 1st when Cam Symons potted in a rebound at the buzzer as the Bulldogs took a 6-2 lead into the second.
In the second Alberni would make it 7-2 after Aj Vasko scored, however the Kings would get one more of their own after Ryder Ringor deflected a shot by Sam Belanger to make it a 7-3 game. That score would hold up until the 3rd period where the Bulldgos would make it 8-3 but Colin MacDougall would add one later in the 3rd to make it 8-4 which would be the final score.
The Kings finish the preseason with a 2-2 record. They would also finish exhibition with a +1 goal differential and would kill 11 of 12 powerplays including two 5 minute major penalties.
Up next is the real deal as the Kings open up the season at home against the Nanaimo Clippers. It’s a 7pm puck drop on Friday but before to come early for the tailgate party at the Hap starting at 5pm hosted by the Powell River Rotary Club and the Brooks Interact Club. (Barbecue by donation) Both team will also play on Saturday which is slated for 5pm.
Get your tickets at tickets.powellriverkings.com or stop by our office.
