The Powell River Kings head home from their first three-game weekend on Vancouver Island with four of a possible six points after a gritty 2-1 win in Nanaimo against the Clippers on Sunday afternoon.
Following a scoreless, and lightning quick first period that featured no goals, no penalties and few whistles, it would be the Kings to get the game’s first goal. Nanaimo attempted a breakout of their zone, however a turnover sat at the top of the faceoff circle with Ryan Brushett stepping into a one-timer for his 7th of the season and a 1-0 advantage that held through 40 minutes worth of play.
The Kings would go to a powerplay early in the third and extend the lead as Christian Buono and Ryan Brushett worked the puck back to the top with Jayden Lee finding his first goal as a King and 2nd in the BCHL on a shot from the centre blue line and a 2-0 advantage.
Nanaimo would push hard in the third, as defenceman Aidan Hansen-Bukata rush down the ice and seemingly stuff a puck home however the goal after review was waved off due to contact on goaltender Hayden Missler. The Clippers second chance was more desisive as forward Gunner Wegleitner lasered a snap shot past Missler midway through the final period to make it 2-1.
A parade to the penalty box denied the Clippers a chance for a 6-on-5 (or 4) push, and also not giving the Kings much of a chance for an empty net and ultimately an interference penalty to Hansen-Bukata on holding up Brushett late snuffed any comeback attempt as the Kings skated away 2-1 winners. Final shots on goal favoured the Kings 33-30 with Missler standing tall in net for his 2nd victory of the season.
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The Kings return home to the Hap for a pair of games this coming weekend, Vernon and Nanaimo visiting on Friday night (7pm) and Saturday night (5pm) respectively. This quick home stand is before 6 straight over two weekends on the road that leads right into a 7 game home stand through late November and into December.
