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2022 ends with two road losses

Weekend recap is presented by Iris Optometry

The Kings returned to action after the holiday break as they headed back on the road to wrap up 2022.

Friday the Kings re-acquainted themselves with the Victoria Grizzlies whom they lost 5-1 in the final game before the break. Just like the last game the Grizzlies would score first, this time it was 2:10 in on a power play when Olivier Picard knocked in the rebound to give his team the lead. The Kings would even it up 13 minutes into the period when a loose puck came to Cam Symons who then roofed for his 6th goal of the season as we were tied after the opening frame.

In the second the Kings would find themselves with many high quality scoring chances but was unable to finish them off as goalie Oliver Auyeung-Ashton was another formidable challenge. The Grizzlies would regain the lead 16 minutes in on another power play when Jack Gorton tucked one in tight to give the Grizzlies the one goal advantage after two periods.

In the third Victoria made life tough for the Kings who were trying to make the comeback as they would add two more goals from Ryan Watt and Oliver Picard to pick up the 4-1 win. Special teams player a major factor in this game as the the power play would go 0 for 6 while the PK went 4 for 6 but the power play goals against turned out to be the difference maker.

On Saturday it was a new years eve showdown in Port Alberni as the Kings took on the Bulldogs for the third time this season, with both teams splitting the first two games. This time the Kings would be the first team to score 12 minutes in when affiliate player Carter Lundie would sneak one through Hobie Hedquist for his first BCHL goal in his second game. The Bulldogs would manage to tie it towards the end of the period on a fortunate play when the puck to a funny bounce from the end boards to the front of the net then Tristain Taylor would bury it past Kyle Metson who was unaware of the pucks location.

The Kings would get the lead back in the second period when Anthony Yu would score his 13th after pounced on a loose puck in front as it was 2-1. However that lead only lasted seconds as Tristian Taylor would score his second of the game with the one time right at the top of the crease as it was all square heading into the third period.

The Bulldogs would take the lead in the early moments of the period after AJ Vasko would pot in a rebound to make it 3-2. The Kings would press for the equalizer but were unable to solve Hobie Hedquist. Chase Klassen would add an empty netter at the buzzer to seal the 4-2 win. Kyle Metson would make 34 saves for the Kings as he put together a sensational performance with many big saves to keep the game close.

The Kings finish off 2022 with 3 consecutive losses and sit with a record of 10-17-1-2 as they sit in 7th place in the Coastal Conference 2 points ahead of Langley for 8th and 4 points behind Alberni for 6th.

2022 was not a kind year to the Kings who had a record of 14-36-6-4 in the calendar season as they will look to turn the corner and aim for a more successful 2023. They will kick off the new year with a 4 game homestand which will begin on Friday when they host the Wenatchee Wild then on Saturday the Cowichan Valley Capitals will be in town. Both games will start at 7pm.

Watch the Massullo Motors weekend highlights | www.powellriverkings.com/highlights