Kings captain Ben Berard opened and closed the scoring, completing his first hattrick of the season as the Kings used a three-goal third period to go 2-0 on the season with a 4-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday night.
Before the game, the Kings and Clippers paused for a pre-game ceremony and moment of silence to recognise the victims of April’s bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos, raising a banner above the Hap Parker ice surface for the season.
A great start from Powell River who generated much of the chances, carried much of the play but failed to come away rewarded with anything on the scoreboard until late in the frame. On the game’s 3rd powerplay the Kings finally cashed in with Matt Fawcett making a nice circle to circle pass in the offensive zone for Berard to one-time home, his 1st of the season and a 1-0 Kings lead through 20 with the shots even at 10.
The Clippers came out better in the 2nd as emotions began to surface and penalties began to tick over with more regularity than seconds off the clock. However despite the chances on the powerplay, 1/10 on the night, the Kings weren’t able to find added offence. It was the Clippers to tie the game through Josh Bourne who redirected home a point shot past Adamyk, Bourne’s 2nd and it was 1-1 through 40 with the Kings outshooting Nanaimo 14-6 in the period for a 24-16 lead through 40.
Into the third and Nanaimo took the lead via Aidan Hansen-Bukata’s point shot past Adamyk and a 2-1 scoreline. However just as he did on Saturday night against the Grizzlies, Liam Lytton stood up for the Kings and found a hole on Jordan Naylor for his 2nd third period game tying goal of the season and a 2-2 score. Then with just over 3 minutes remaining, Berard ran a pick and roll off a faceoff win from Matt Fawcett, Berard able to slide around and out-wait Clipper netminder Jordan Naylor, his 2nd of the game and a 3-2 Kings lead. Berard added the insurance 2 minutes later and Neal Samanski unselfishly set up Berard for the hattrick into the empty net, completing a 4-2 win for Powell River.
Mitch Adamyk had a quiet night in net, stopping 22/24 for his 2nd win of the season. Final shots on goal were 34-24 in favour of the Powell River Kings.
Ben Berard and Brock Sawyer joined us for our Facebook Live postgame show after 60 minutes:
Three Stars of the Game
- Ben Berard (Kings) – 3 goals
- Brady Lynn (Clippers) – 2 assists
- Jayden Lee (Kings)
The Kings and Clippers complete the weekend double header at the Hap Parker Arena on Saturday, a 5:00pm start at the Hap.
