Game: Victoria Grizzlies vs Powell River Kings
Arena: Hap Parker Arena
Puck Drop: 7:00pm
Broadcast: Starts at 6:35pm
95.7 SunFM Free Audio
FastHockey PPV Video
Kings This Season vs Opposition (incl. PO): 4-6-0-1
Last Meeting: Kings won 3-0
Kings 2012/2013 Playoff Record: 2-1-0
Kings at home: 2-0-0
Kings vs Island: 2-1-0
Opposition 2012/2013 Playoff Record: 1-2-0
Opposition on the road: 0-2-0
If you missed our look at the regular season series between the Kings and Grizzlies, read posts on leading scorers, special teams and goaltending.
6 goals for, 1 goal against in 120 minutes of hockey. Not all that bad really. The Kings seem to have clicked, and in talking with a lot of the players, a similar comment has come from many of them. Game 1 was almost an eye-opener, a catalyst toward them realising how serious this time of year was, and how they needed to play. Just about anyone will tell you the Kings have been nothing short of exceptional through the last two games, but the job isn’t done yet, and many more of those games are needed.
Again, if you want to pick at ANYTHING, it’s the powerplay. It got raised by Derek Bachynski in our post-game show, as well as Kent Lewis in comments made to SunFM today. How big of an issue is it? Well not all that big when you’re winning games, but a clicking powerplay is a key ingredient to success, and I don’t the Kings will rely on near-shutouts and clean sheets every game. Certainly that’s the game plan, but the powerplay will help increase the odds more.
Same lineup to the best of my knowledge for tonight’s game, I can’t see the coaches making any changes unless they were forced.
The Grizzlies will make some changes, some potentially by choice, one definately by force. Blake Thompson, after missing games 1 and 2 due to suspension for a blow to the head penalty, will miss games 4, and if necessary game 5 for the same offence. This on Jordan Burns in the 3rd period of Monday’s game. Burns barely missed any time, but the Kings had a 5-minute powerplay to work with for the shot.
The Grizzlies are no doubt trying to find a winning formula. They’ve now dropped 8 of their last 9 games, and started to shuffle the lines last night. Myles Powell found himself between the Fitzgeralds for much of the game, David Mazurek slotted in on occasion. They had some extra help come in, Pearce Eviston and Mitch Meek originally scratched from the game, were inserted late. Meek, a defenceman, played centre much of the game.
For tonight, Victoria will shuffle up and deal again. Due to be out (and this can change) are Dante Hahn and Kade Pilton, as well as Thompson and Gerry Fitzgerald. Keyler Bruce scheduled to go with the Fitzgerald’s, Mitch Meek slots back to defence and overall, a spread of the offence to try and generate goals.
On the show tonight, we’ll talk with both head coaches in the pre-game show. In the 1st intermission, we’ll talk with forward JP Villeneuve about his pair last night, also Kings defenceman Jordan Burns as well as Noah Henry. In the 2nd intermission, alumni feature with current RIT Tiger, Daniel Schuler. We’ll also update you on some great alumni news for a couple of former Kings goaltenders.
Derek Bachynski will join us after 60 or so minutes to talk about the game and get set for either game 5, or a series against Nanaimo or Alberni.
