The “fourth line” for the Kings turned offensive powerhouse on Sunday afternoon, combining for 4 goals against a depleted Grizzlies lineup, as the Kings went on to record a 10-2 victory over Victoria. Jonah Imoo made his first BCHL start as well, backstopping the Kings to victory.
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(Note: Unfortunately, I was not recording when Steve Schmidt scored the Kings 7th goal. I’m sorry about that)
On paper this one probably wasn’t close, and that was the vibe given off by the Grizzlies prior to the game, a day removed from a 12-3 loss to the Surrey Eagles. The Grizzlies’ short bench would force major minutes out of all the remaining players, and it proved too much for them to overcome. The Kings got the game’s 1st goal in a tight opening 20 minutes, through Jarryd Leung’s 4th of the year, a rebound from a Steven Schmidt to make it 1-0.
Under four minutes later, and the Kings would double the lead through Daniel Schuler who skated into the zone, cut to the outside and got a wrist shot away from the faceoff circle, beating Garrett Rockafellow for his 13th of the year and a 2-0 lead. The Grizzlies would answer back midway through the frame, on the powerplay through Coltyn Hansen to cut the lead to one after 20 minutes of play. Shots on goal 14-10 in favour of Powell River.
Much like last night in Alberni, the 2nd period would open this game up. 3 minutes in that fourth line goes with work, first with James Neil scoring with a beautiful snipe top shelf near side to make it 3-1. Then 21 seconds later Brandon Tidy’s 3rd of the year, finding a loose puck to bury it, 4-1 Kings on back to back goals. Cohen Adair would make it 5-1 on a hard shot that just snuck through the Grizzlies netminder, his 22nd of the year.
Cam Lawson, again on the powerplay, would got a goal back for the Grizzlies, but the Kings would negate that through Brendon MacDonald’s first as a King on a 3-on-1 rush to make it 6-2 after 40 minutes. The Kings made it 7 goals on the night, tying a high mark for the year through Steven Schmidt scoring just 30 seconds into the 3rd period. Right at the 10 minute mark, Evan Richardson would score a goal against his former team, then at the 17:20 mark would score again to make it 9-2 and the Kings had double digits in sight. James Neil would cap off a great night for him, scoring his 2nd of the game and 4th of the year for a 10-2 Kings win.
Jonah Imoo recorded his 1st BCHL win, stopping 18 shots for the victory. Jarryd Leung, Chris Williams, James Neil and Evan Richardson all had 3 points nights.
Three Stars of the Game
- Evan Richardson (Kings) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Matt Scarth (Kings) – 2 assists
- Chris Williams (Kings) – 3 assists
Next action for the Kings will be at home, as they commence a stretch of games where they play 10 of the next 12 at home. Friday will be Canuck Green Men night, as Force and Sully will be in town to terrorise the Capitals.
