Hunter Findlater will fondly look back on his 200th game in the BCHL as the Kings were able to earn their 3rd win in Nanaimo this year, outpacing the Clippers by a 5-3 score.
Another game, another rough start for the Kings as Carmine Buono and Mitch Adamyk get their wires crossed on a clearing puck and put it on the tape of Tristan Crozier to bury past Adamyk for a 1-0 lead less than 4 minute in. Late in the period, the Kings were able to turn pressure into results on the scoreboard. First, a powerplay tally with Jonny Evans cashing in for his 14th of the season and a 1-1 score. Then late in the frame Mitch Williams found himself on the receiving end of a bullet pass from Ben Berard in the corner, Williams tapping home his 7th and it was 2-1 Kings through 20.
Into the 2nd and the Clippers tied the game quickly on an early powerplay. Cal Babych was hit on the back post by a Brandon Marinelli pass for his 8th and a 2-2 game. Kevin Obssuth gave the visitors the lead back less than 4 minutes later through his 16th of the season and the Kings held a 3-2 lead.
Looking set to to carry that lead into the third period, the Clippers were sprung on a 3-on-1 break and Parker Colley converted for a 3-3 score through 40. The Kings outshot the Clippers 15-8 in the period for a lead 26-17 through 40.
The third saw the Kings take their final lead of the game as Neal Samanski used some good hands around the net to bury a rebound off Taz Burman in the Nanaimo net for his 4th in as many games and his 7th of the season for a 4-3 lead. The Kings were able to hold the fort and withstand Nanaimo pressure, closing the game out with Carter Turnbull’s 20th of the season into the empty net for a 5-3 win. Mitch Adamyk stopped 21 shots for his 13th win of the year as the Kings improved to 21-12-4-4, leapfrogging the Clippers into 2nd spot in the Island Division.
Here’s Brock Sawyer in our Facebook Live Postgame show:
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Jonny Evans (Kings) – 1 goal, 2 assists
2. Tristan Crozier (Clippers) – 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Ben Berard (Kings) – 2 assists
The Kings continue a five game road swing in Victoria on Sunday afternoon, a 1pm puck drop at the Q Centre.
