Game: Victoria Grizzlies vs Powell River Kings
Arena: Hap Parker Arena
Puck Drop: 7:30pm
Broadcast: Starts at 7:10pm
95.7 SunFM Free Audio
FastHockey PPV Video
Kings This Season vs Grizzlies: 0-1-0-0
Last Meeting: Grizzlies won 3-2
Kings 2012/2013 Record: 3-6-0-2
Kings at home: 2-1-0-1
Kings Last 10: 3-6-0-1
Kings vs Island: 2-2-0-1
Grizzlies 2012/2013 Record: 6-3-0-1
Grizzlies on the road: 4-2-0-0
Grizzlies Last 10: 6-3-0-1
After a great 1st period, the Kings again let the opposition back into the game in the 2nd period, and it cost them 2 goals and 2 points on Friday night. Once again the team got the game’s first goal, held the lead for much of the game, but were unable to shut it down when it mattered, and two scrambly, ugly goals once again the undoing of the Kings. Once again, the scoring wasn’t there, and the team has scored just 3 times in their last 4 games. But, there were positives from last night. The Kings were outright dominant in the 1st period. The shots on goal were close, but the scoring chances were completely one-sided. That’s the focus for the Kings, turning 20 into 60.
Not much to change for the Kings this evening against Victoria. The injured players are still injured. Brandan Smith and Evan Richardson both got through their first game’s back after injury in relative good health, and I haven’t been told that either will sit tonight. Scarth/Paddock/Rideout/Coleshaw will be names on the ‘DL’ for a few more weeks to come. The only other change, came via addition last night. That was forward Brayden Low, who impressed many on debut. Low came as advertised and was dominant on faceoff dot, winning several key draws. Considering he had one skate with the team, the morning of the game, I thought his chemistry with Teagan Waugh and Stephen Hiff was pretty good. There were a couple of scoring opportunities generated on that line that came close, but it was a case of passes going on the wrong side of a player, or pucks hopping over sticks. With time, much like the rest of the roster, the chemistry will begin to build.
Jonah Imoo is scheduled to get the start in goal.
The Grizzlies played last night at home, to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. They won 3-1, and based on the box score, dominated the 1st and 3rd periods. They opened up a 3-0 lead on the Backs in the opening frame, with some veterans doing all the damage. Brett Hartskamp, Zach Urban and Leo Fitzgerald all scored, with Urban having a 3-point night. We all remember the game back in Victoria a few weeks ago…the Kings and Grizzlies tied at 2 heading towards overtime, when Leo Fitzgerald skated from centre, into the slot unopposed and fired one on Imoo that crossed the line with 0.6 seconds left, giving the Grizz a 3-2 win for their home opener.
The Grizzlies are skilled up front, lead by the triplets and a few returning players. They also have some size on the back end with former Vees Zach Urban and DJ Jones, as well as returning Nolan DeJong and Jaden Schmeisser. They are certainly not the push over, stat-padding team they were at the end of last year, and it’s beginning to show around the league that teams are becoming aware of that…after all, they lead not only the Island Division, but the entire Coastal Conference, and are 3 points behind Penticton for the league lead.
For what it’s worth, Brady Rouleau started last night, and with Michael Stiliadis stealing the show against Coquitlam a week or so back, might be a safe bet to say he’ll start tonight…however that’s just my thought.
On the show, we’ll have our full, extended pre-game show, kicking off at 7:10. We’ll talk with the Coaches from both teams. In the 1st intermission, our player profile segment continues with Evan Richardson. He talks on his time in Powell River, his future in hockey, and all things Kings. In the 2nd intermission, The NHL According to Josh, where we’ll breakdown more on the NHL Off-Season, as well as debate more on broadcast terms. We’ll also talk with defenceman Brendan Smith about his 1st game back after injury, and forward Brayden Low on his insane last 48 hours.
Derek Bachynski will join us in our post-game show after 60 or so minutes to break down the game, and begin to look ahead to an interior swing to Prince George and Merritt next weekend.
