The Vitals
Game: Coquitlam Express vs Powell River Kings
Arena: Hap Parker Arena
Puck Drop: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Starting at 7:15pm on 95.7 SunFM
The Numbers
Kings This Season vs Express: 1-4-1-0
Last Meeting: Kings won 3-1
Kings at Home: 19-2-1-1
Kings Last 10: 10-0-0-0
Express on the Road: 13-11-1-0
Express Last 10: 5-5-0-0
The Setup for the Kings
The Kings will take their 10-game win streak, including the first win of the season against Coquitlam, as a huge boost of confidence for tonight’s game, against that same Express side. It was a monkey-off-the-back performance from the team last Thursady, as Cohen Adair gave the Kings the lead, then 3 goals in the final 30 seconds made it a 3-1 win for the Kings. Discipline and a near perfect penalty kill (the Kings went 5/6 on the PK, only surrendering a tip-in goal 12 seconds from time in the 3rd) were the dominating factors against a special teams powerhouse in the Express. More of the same will be needed, either don’t take penalties, or be good when you do.
In terms of personell for the Kings, it will be the same as last weekend in terms of scratches. Tanner Cochrane is still out, joining Daniel Schuler in the stands for tonight’s game. Fortunately, with Schuler missing, others have stepped up offensively, namely Brendon MacDonald, who had 3 goals in 2 games last weekend. It’s been that spark of offence from a guy who was tabbed to come in and bring leadership, experience and the other intangibles that this team may have lacked that makes this Kings team so exciting…the depth that the roster now has gives everyone more confidence to go out and win in any situation.
Sean Maguire will get the start tonight and will look to make it 8 wins in as many starts. Sean has been nothing short of brilliant since January 10th, and while he’s let in a couple of ugly goals, his ability to bounce back and shut the door is impressive. The game in Nanaimo last weekend proved that.
The Setup for the Express
The Express hosted Victoria last night, and ended up being the team that a resurgent Grizzlies side would get to first. I was extremely impressed with the 13 or so skaters Victoria dressed on Saturday night, who played relentlessly and pushed the Kings all the way. You knew it was only a matter of time before they’d turn their luck around and it came last night against Coquitlam. For the Express, they ran into a hot team and a hot goaltender. Firing 63 shots, going 33% on the powerplay and scoring 5 goals will win you more games than you’ll lose, unfortunately it sounds as if Khaleed Devji didn’t have a good night and the offence couldn’t find enough gaps in Taylor Pears.
The Express’ mandate is to control the puck and dominate on special teams. Both of those facets of the game revolve around Alex Petan and Alex Kerfoot, the latter of which we’ve spoken about at great length on this blog before. The supporting cast it there, as Petan, Brady Shaw and John Siemer have all had success against the Kings, it’s just a matter of clicking on the same night in a foreign arena after a travel day.
One thing I have noticed with the Express this year, is the mental battle. It seems as if the players find it difficult to get out to Powell River and ready for a game. In my sweep through the social networks today, found a couple of tweets from Express players indicating that Powell River may not be their favourite destination to play. Does that translate onto the ice? Who knows. Back on the ice, Cole Huggins is scheduled to start between the pipes.
On the Broadcast
In countdown to February 25th’s retro night against the Vernon Vipers, we’ll catch up with some key Kings alumni, beginning with 93-94 Kings forward Bret Meyers. He’ll join us in our 1st intermission and recap his time in Powell River and his connection with a current Powell River King. In the 2nd break, Josh Statham will rejoin the show for “The NHL According to Josh”. We’ll talk Mats Sundin among other things.
