Kings took another step in the right direction on Friday night against the Eagles but couldn't quite get it done in a 5-4 overtime loss.
Started out well for the Kings who were stride for stride with the Eagles even when killing an early penalty.
Eagles scored first on a turnover by the Kings which eventually went to the slot and off the stick of Adam Tambellini at 13:28.
Up 1-0 after one period, Eagles made it 2-0 when Tambellini fired the puck through Imoo's legs from the slot on the powerplay at 4:03.
Kings came roaring back with three consecutive goals starting with Richardson's rush down the left wing – cut to the middle and fired a shot over the shoulder of the goalie at 7:16
Eleven seconds later J.P. Villeneuve and Dorant
es went in on a 2 on 1 and Villeneuve elected to shoot and he roofed it over the goalie to tie 2-2 at 7:27.
The third goal was an odd one in that Richardson made another great rush, lost the puck, chased after it and it looked as though he was headed for a change but the puck followed him to the wing.
He turned up ice and made a cut to the slot but lost his footing but Stephen Hiff followed up and he too, drilled the puck high at 11:10 to make it 3-2 Kings.
Kings definitely stepped up their game and easily were playing their best hockey in awhile. Dorantes rewarded their effort with a deflection of Paddock's shot from the point that once again, sailed high into the Eagles net at 4:13.
There didn't seem to be a let-down by the Kings until 16:04 when Brady Shaw criss-crossed with another Eagle inside the Kings' blueline and shot back against the grain to put the puck in low off the post.
His goal seemed to breathe some life back into the Eagles and at 17:25 Tambellini alone in front of the net to accept a centering pass and send the game into overtime.
In overtime the Kings' Luke Ripley was penalized for holding and on the powerplay Tambellini picked up his fourth goal with a one-timer from the right side at 2:00.
Happy with the effort but disheartened with the result Kings easily played their best hockey in some time. They get another test on Saturday at the Hap Parker Arena with Nanaimo in town at 7:30 P.M.
Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Adam Tambellini
2. Stephen Hiff
3. Brady Shaw
