Game 4 review:
The Kings scored 3:09 into the game, held the lead for just under 54 minutes before the Eagles tied the game, but finally got the game winning goal in overtime to take a stranglehold on the Coastal Conference Final series against the Surrey Eagles, winning 2-1 and leading the series 3-1.
The Kings, in what’s become a trademark this post season, got the game’s first goal. Teagan Waugh broke into the attacking zone, cut to the outside and got a shot away on Andrew Hunt who saved it but kicked a big rebound out to the near side on JP Villeneuve’s stick, he fluttered home his 5th of the playoffs and the Kings had a 1-0 lead.
No more scoring in the 1st period, with the Eagles outshooting the Kings 16-10 through 20. The shot totals, reflective of the Kings having to kill several penalties in the opening twenty, and that carried into the 2nd. No scoring but the Kings got momentum of continually killing penalties through blocking shots and clearing pucks. Shots on goal in the 2nd period were 18-15 in favour of the Eagles for two period totals of 34-25.
Into the 3rd and the Eagles continued to press for an equalizer, and the parade to the penalty box more or less stopped for both teams. Finally, with 3:03 to go in the game, the Eagles found an equalizer on a scramble in front that was eventually pounced on by Sean McGovern, his 2nd of the playoffs and a 1-1 game after 60 minutes. Shots on goal 49-36 after three periods of play and we looked as if we were in for a long night.
The Kings were forced to kill off a penalty into overtime, as Steven Schmidt went to the box late in the 3rd. But into overtime, just seconds after he stepped out of the box, Cohen Adair had a rush down the ice, his shot deflected into the corner where Steven Schmidt, who scored the 3-OT winner last year in game 4 against the Eagles, this time played setup man, feeding Cohen Adair for the tip in close and a 2-1 win.
Three Stars of the Game
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Sean Maguire (Kings) – 49 saves
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Andrew Hunt (Eagles) – 35 saves
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Tyler Morley (Eagles)
The Kings now have a chance to clinch a spot in the Fred Page Cup Final on Monday, game 5 against the Eagles is a 7:00pm faceoff on 95.7 SunFM.
Game 3 review from Alex's blog:
The Kings scored early and often, then held on for the victory in the 3rd game of the Coastal Conference Final, taking a 2-1 series lead with a 4-3 win.
The game was evenly balances until midway through the 1st period when the Kings struck twice in 21 seconds. First, exactly 8 minutes into the period, Daniel Schuler tipped a Cohen Adair shot, which was going just wide, into the back of the net. His 3rd of the playoffs and a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, a blocked shot at the blue line allowed Brendon MacDonald to skate in on a breakaway, his attempt was stopped but Chris Williams in a support role jumped on a loose puck to the side and buried his 2nd of the playoffs for a quick 2-0 lead.
Not done there, the Kings would score 4 minutes later off a faceoff win from Evan Richardson. Matt Scarth took the puck and sniped home his 1st of the playoffs and a 3-0 game. Less than 2 minutes after Scarth’s tally, Schuler got his 2nd of the game, again from Adair and Schmidt, to chase goaltender Andrew Hunt after he gave up 4 goals on 19 shots. The score was 4-0 after 20, the Kings outshooting the Eagles 21-10 and dominating the game.
The Kings got into some penalty trouble late in the 1st and into the 2nd, with the Eagles capitalising 5-on-3 early in the 2nd. Steve Koshey’s 1st of the year and a 4-1 game. That was all the scoring in the middle frame, the Kings outshot the Eagles 12-11 in the period, for a 40-minute total of 33-21.
Into the 3rd and the Eagles trimmed the lead to 2. Devon Toews’ 5th of the playoffs made it 4-2, then Tyler Morley went end to end down the right wing, cutting to the middle and slapping a shot past Sean Maguire for a 4-3 game with 2:07 to play. The Eagles would press, but the equalizer wouldn’t come. The Kings outshoot the Eagles 47-42, despite being outshot 21-14 in the 3rd.
Three Stars of the Game
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Dan Schuler (Kings) – 2 goals
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Devon Toews (Eagles) – 1 goal, 1 assist
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Cohen Adair (Kings) – 2 assists
Next action for the Kings is Saturday night, a 7:00pm faceoff in Surrey for game 4 of took their foot off the pedal on Wednesday night against Surrey and paid the price.
Game 2 review:
They just didn't have the jump of the night before and Surrey took advantage with a big 2-1 victory to even their series 1-1.
Kings' Schuler had the best chance in the first period to score when he broke free but was stoned by Hunt.
Kings also had a 14-8 shot advantage but like the Eagles, they were unable get on the scoreboard.
It remained scoreless until 14:21 when Tanev picked up the puck behind the net and whirled around to bank the puck off Maguire and in for the first goal.
A minute later a shot from a bad angle caught Maguire off guard and he deflected the high shot off his own stick and it tumbled into the net.
The two quick goals stunned the crowd and down 2-0 after two periods, the Kings really had some work to do.
Surrey defended their lead very well for the first ten minutes but the Kings poured it on in the second half of the period and started to get their chances.
A big rebound off the end boards came out to the crowd in front of the net and after a couple of bangs at it Richardson got a clear shot and hit the net.
His goal at 11:40 put a charge into the team but Surrey withstood the pressure and despite numerous close calls and Hunt made all the saves he had to and the Eagles hung on for the big road win.
Now, just like the interior series, this one is tied 1-0 and home ice advantage switches to the Eagles.
Games three and four go in Surrey on Friday and Saturday, with game five back at the Hap Parker Arena on Monday, April 2nd at 7:00 P.M.
Ron Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Brandon Tanev
2. Robert Lindores
3. Jon Jutzi
