24 hours removed from a game 3 win in overtime, the Powell River Kings had the script flipped on them in game 4 against the Nanaimo Clippers, surrendering the OT winner early in the first extra session and falling 2-1 on Tuesday night.
The Kings came out flying in the first period, generating plenty of offensive zone time but were unable to get much through to net on Taz Burman. The Kings enjoyed an early powerplay where they again got looks but weren’t able to trouble the Clipper netminder. The deadlock was broken late in the period as a powerplay expired the Kings kept the offensive zone pressure and a Callum Volpe point shot deflected off Ethan Kimball’s shoulder, up and over Taz Burman for Kimball’s 1st of the playoffs and a 1-0 lead through 20.
The 2nd saw Nanaimo play their best hockey of the period, limiting Powell River to just 5 shots on goal and cutting an early rut to the box with Andy Stevens, Neal Samanski and Kevin Obssuth all spending time in the box in the first five minutes of the 2nd period. The Clippers would tie the game up at 1 through David Silye down the left side, sniping past Matteo Paler-Chow for his 3rd and a 1-1 game through 40.
A better 3rd for the Kings who returned to the Powell River team that controlled and at points dominated the game five on five. Teams traded early powerplay opportunities but it was a late surge highlighted by a special move from Andy Stevens that got the best chances on goal. However a regulation go ahead goal wasn’t on the cards and the two teams needed overtime for the second straight night.
Early into the extra session, a couple of failed outs for the Kings had them pinned in the done where Preston Brodziak buried on a second chance in front of Paler-Chow, his 1st of the playoffs and a 2-1 Nanaimo win.
The win ties the series up at 2-2, with the Island Division Semi Final now effectively a best of three. Nanaimo also claims back home ice advantage with two of the next three at the Frank Crane Arena.
Here’s what Brock Sawyer had to say in the post game show:
The Kings will travel to Nanaimo Thursday in preparation for game 5 on Thursday night, a 7:00pm start at the Frank Crane Arena.
