Game: Chilliwack Chiefs vs Powell River Kings
Arena: Hap Parker Arena
Puck Drop: 7:15pm
Broadcast: Starts at 6:55pm
95.7 Coast FM in Powell River
Kings Broadcast Network
FastHockey PPV Video
Kings Record: 30-18-0-3 (2nd Island)
Opposition Record: 31-11-4-2 (1st Mainland)
The Kings are coming off three convincing victories last weekend against the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Victoria Grizzlies. The Kings outscored their opponents 15-1 in the three games which continued a 9-game home stand. The Kings are 6-0-0-1 in the home stand so far.
Chilliwack went 2-0 last weekend with games Friday and Monday against Coquitlam (9-1) and Langley (5-2), both on the road. Much like the Kings, Chilliwack’s last loss was to the West Kelowna Warriors at the end of January.
- Lets update the divisional standings and situation before we get into the game because it’s change a little since I signed off on Monday. Nanaimo played twice midweek, entertaining Cowichan and travelling to Alberni on Wednesday and Thursday respectively…both wins. It means the gap between the two teams balloons out to 9 points once more, however the Kings have three games in hand. Nanaimo doesn’t play again until they host the Kings for a rare road double header at the Frank Crane Arena next weekend, so that means both games this weekend are make ups for the pair that Nanaimo played the last two nights.
- The Kings last weekend were as dominant as we’ve seen them be this season. They played their game to a tee, while refusing to get poked and prodded into opposition tactics. With Cowichan in the double header, the Kings played hard and disciplined and allowed the Caps to give the Kings three times as many shorthanded situations as the Kings gave up. With Victoria, it was again discipline, but also the control of guys like Brayden Gehlsinger who threatened but was never really effective.
- Tonight’s opponent, the Chilliwack Chiefs, really have not a lot to play for. The playoff spots are well sewn up, and while Wenatchee are just 5 points back of first place, seasonal trends would indicate that the Chiefs will eventually clinch first in the Division and a first round playoff series against the Coquitlam Express, who they have beaten handily this season. So the focus for the Chiefs is to go about their business the right way, much in the same fashion as the Kings. Both are looking to fine tune their games, work out the kinks and roll in the odd experiment to see what works ahead of the games counting for real come March 4th.
- For the Chiefs, watch out for their captain Jordan Kawaguchi who had a three point night as the Chiefs beat the Kings 3-2 in overtime back in November in Chilliwack. It’s the only meeting between the two teams this season to date. Carter Turnbull and Tristan Mullin scored in a disappointing result for the Kings as Mullin put them up 2-1 with 3 minutes remaining, only for the Kings to concede the tying goal with 31 seconds left on the clock. It was the start of a fruitful road trip for Powell River as they took full points in the following games against Merritt and Prince George.
- As noted in the recap from Monday, Carter Turnbull is riding a 6-game point streak, while Jonny Evans has points in his last 5 and the pair have been stellar and extremely effective. They’ve developed into a legitimate second scoring punch that causes as much trouble, if not more, than the Mullin/Betts combo. On Mullin, while he isn’t necessarily ‘streaking’ with points in his last 2, in the 15 games so far in 2016, Mullin has scored in 9 of them, 8 being multi-point games (9-9-18).
- For the Kings, Nick Halagian and Curtis McCarrick remain day to day. Both skated with the club this week as they recover from minor injuries. Kent Lewis noted on Monday’s pre-game chat that the original hope was for both to return this weekend however we’ll have to wait to see if that occurs. If it does, it’ll put the Kings back to a healthy 22 and Kent Lewis will have some difficult choices to make ahead of puck drop.
The broadcast goes live on 95.7 Coast FM in Powell River at 6:55pm. It will also be online on the Kings Broadcast Network and FastHockey PPV. In the 1st intermission, we’ll talk with Hunter Findlater on “that goal”, Nick Halagian on his acting debut and Curtis McCarrick’s Minor Hockey Memories. Brock Sawyer will join us after 60 in the post-game show.
