Powell River, BC – The Merritt Centennials (9-20-3) scored twice in the final 18 seconds of the second period, pulling away with a 4-3 win over Powell River Kings (17-15-3) on Friday night at the Hap Parker Arena.
The Powell River Kings drop their first regulation contest in eight straight games, and snap their three game home winning-streak. The Centennials seven game skid comes to an end.
“We weren’t ready to play,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer. “You prep all week for one game, and then you come out and guys are not finishing hits, and they’re trying to do everything by themselves. It’s a team game, and you need five guys to score.”
The Centennials took a 4-2 lead into the second intermission, scoring two unanswered goals in the final 18 seconds of the frame. The Kings took two penalties in dying minutes of the second which led to a Payton Matsui 5-on-3 power play goal to take the lead, and a Hunor Torzsok 5-on-4 power play marker with three seconds to go. Matsui popped a wrist-shot into the top corner from the high slot, and Torzok deflected home a Brophy Dunne point shot.
“It was very deflating,” added Sawyer. “Anytime you give up a goal in last two minutes of a period, you’re going to give them momentum. They score in bunches, and they showed it. But give them credit because they came in, won a lot of battles and it was evident on the scoreboard.”
Reilly Moran scored twice, giving him a team leading 14 goals this season. Michael Abgrall also extended his point-streak to Kings team season-high eight games with two assists. He now has a goal and 11 assists during that time. Jack Long also scored his second of the season, and eighth of his career playing in career game #207.
Levi Glasman and Dylan Finlay returned from injury. Glasman missed eight games, and tallied an assist on the opening goal. Finlay missed 18 games, and played the point on the man-advantage.
Derek Krall’s three game winning-streak came to an end, allowing four goals on 31 shots. Tanner Marshall got his third lifetime victory against the Kings, stopping 31 of 34.
The Powell River Kings finish the first-half home schedule 10-6 on home ice, while also dropping their record to 3-6 against the Interior Division.
The Powell River Kings will wrap up their first-half schedule with four road games in five days beginning on Tuesday in Langley at 7:15 p.m. The Kings are back at home with a double-header against the Nanaimo Clippers on December 30th.
