After playing seven of nine games in November at home, the Powell River Kings (19-10-1-0) begin the month of December with their longest road trip of the season.
The games begin Friday night when the Kings head to Prospera Centre to play the Chilliwack Chiefs (18-7-4-0), a team they’ve played once this season.
Who could forget the 7-6 double overtime game between the Kings and Chiefs at the Hap Parker Arena November 6? A game that saw the Kings jump out to a 3-0 lead early in the second, only to have the Chiefs score three goals in 2:10 to tie things up.
The game that saw four lead changes throughout. The game that saw the Kings kill off a penalty in overtime and the game that ended with Jake Smith’s breakaway goal in the second extra frame.
Games between the Kings and Chiefs seem to have a knack for excitement over the past couple of seasons. Last year, both games were tied inside the final minute on a Chilliwack goal. One finishing in the Chiefs favour in overtime, the other a 4-4 tie. In fact, now four of the previous five match-ups between the two teams has gone to overtime.
Friday the Chiefs may find themselves at a disadvantage before the puck is dropped, because of their schedule. Wednesday the Chiefs host the Coquitlam Express, but Thursday they travel nearly 700 kilometres north to Prince George to play the Spruce Kings.
The Kings meanwhile have been off since Saturday following a 3-2 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The win kept the Kings two points behind the Victoria Grizzlies for first place in the Island Division. Chilliwack finds themselves in a similar position; three points behind the division leading Wenatchee Wild with two more games played.
Season series
November 6 Powell River Kings 6 vs Chilliwack Chiefs 7 (2OT)
December 2 Powell River Kings @ Chilliwack Chiefs
Leading scorers
Powell River Kings
Cam Donaldson 20 G 18 A 29 GP
Jonny Evans 16 G 20 A 30 GP
Tristan Mullin 15 G 21 A 30 GP
Trail Smoke Eaters
Jordan Kawaguchi 21 G 22 A 29 GP
Kohen Olischefski 9 G 19 A 29 GP
Tommy Lee 12 G 14 A 29 GP
Special Teams
Powell River Kings
Power Play – 25.4% (5th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 76.8% (13th in BCHL)
Chilliwack Chiefs
Power Play – 21.6% (9th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 76.9% (12th in BCHL)
