The Kings scored 18 seconds apart in the first period, including the eventual game winner as the Kings earned a 4-1 win in Nanaimo on Friday night.
A solid start for the Kings on the road by controlling a bulk of the play early in the period. Few clear-cut chances, but a substantial amount of offensive zone time and pressure around the Nanaimo net. The dam finally broke as the Kings went to their second powerplay of the game with Jonny Evans looping high in the offensive zone then firing a quick shot on Nanaimo goalie Taz Burman for his 7th of the year and a 1-0 lead.
18 seconds later, the Kings doubled the lead with what would stand up as the game winner. Some good play in the corner set up Hunter Findlater on the left wall. He fired a puck in the low slot for Josh Coblenz to have a chance on goal before Ben Berard roofed a loose puck for his 16th on the year and a 2-0 advantage that stood up through 20 with the Kings outshooting the Clippers 11-5.
Nanaimo came out better in the 2nd and got on the board through Jake Harris to send the teddy bears flying, however Andy Stevens and the Kings wrestled a 2-goal lead back 1:11 later with a shot on net that got through two Clippers and a screened Burman for a 3-1 advantage. The Kings were outshot in the 2nd 15-7, equating to a 20-18 advantage through 40.
A tight period in the 3rd as the Clippers continued to press, buoyed by a parade to the penalty box from the Kings however Powell River was able to hold the league’s best powerplay at bay, turning aside four powerplays in the third period including a long five-on-three to hold on for a 4-1 win. Ben Berard sealed the win with an empty net goal with 1:45 remaining.
Matteo Paler-Chow was sensational in net, stopping 32 shots for his 8th win of the season, helping the Kings improve to a record of 18-7-2-2 and increasing their lead at the top of the Island Division standings to three points over the Clippers with three games in hand. With Victoria idle, the Kings move 8 points over the Grizzlies with 3 games in hand.
The Kings were outshot 33-23 by the Clippers, setting a new season low for shots on goal. The game eclipsed the 24 shots that the Kings got against the Trail Smoke Eaters at the 2nd game of the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack and is just the third time in 29 games the Kings have gotten less than 30 shots on goal.
Here is our Facebook Live postgame show with Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer:
Three Stars of the Game
1. Matteo Paler-Chow (Kings) – 32 saves, 8th win
2. Jonny Evans (Kings) – 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Jake Harris (Clippers) – 1 goal
The Kings continue their weekend road trip in Duncan on Saturday night, taking on the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the 5th time this season. The Kings are 3-0-1-0 against the Capitals this season, most recently sweeping a weekend set in Powell River last month. However Cowichan have won back to back games for the first time this season and carry a 2-game win streak into action on Saturday night. Game time is 7:00pm.
