A goal 30 seconds into the contest from Kurt Keats set the tone for a high scoring, wild affair in Langley as the Kings were on the wrong end of a 9-7 result to the Langley Rivermen on Sunday afternoon.
Here are some thoughts from the game:
- The game was mean and tough from the Langley Rivermen and the Kings paid dearly for it. Curtis McCarrick, Jonny Evans and Matt Hermary all left the game at points with injury, while Wes St. Amand and JJ Coleshaw were both ejected after fighting. All told, my unofficial count had 11 powerplay chances for the Kings and 9 for the Rivermen.
- Penalties aside, this was just an odd game to watch. The Kings got off to a good start, scoring on the first shift, but some defensive lapses and missed chances between the pipes meant Langley took control of the game inside 10 minutes. The Kings were able to battle back, but were never able to get that ‘next’ goal to tie it up or take the lead, and were always kept just out of reach by the Rivermen.
- It was good to see the return of Jarid Lukosevicius, who had been protected a little this weekend as he’s coming off a minor injury. He looked to have gained some speed this off-season and used it on his 1st goal to drive wide and cut in. Luko, Keats and Pritchard were partnered together when the injuries and ejections allowed and seemed to quick pretty well.
- The youngest players for the Kings were probably their best. Carter Turnbull and Ryan Pouliot both capped good weekends with goals, while AP call-up from the NW Giants Callahan Brebner looked comfortable in his first Junior outing. Also solid was Stefan Wornig who battled consistently in the crease all weekend, but particularly Sunday.
- There are some tough decisions ahead. Kent Lewis mentioned before Sunday’s game that he’s hoping to get close to the 22 by Saturday, however a few of the younger players with the team at the moment made the coaching staff’s decision that much more difficult with their play. Final cuts will come early this week, and then I imagine some fine tuning inside the first month of the season. The Kings like what they have, now it’s about molding it into a winning team.
No postgame interview unfortunately, however Garrett James (a lower mainland photographer) was at the game and snapped the following shots (as well as the one above):
It counts for real on Saturday as the Kings open the BCHL season at the Showcase against Chilliwack. It’s a 7:00pm start at Prospera Centre and the broadcast will be live on the Kings Broadcast Network AND CJMP 90.1 FM in Powell River.
