The Kings closed a 7-game home stand and the home portion of their 2017/18 regular season schedule with a resounding 7-1 victory over the 2018 RBC host Chilliwack Chiefs in front of a big crowd on Sunday afternoon.
Before the game, the Kings saluted their five graduating 20-year-olds playing in their final home game of the regular season, by starting Gavin Rauser, Carmine Buono, Kevin Obssuth, Hunter Findlater and Jonny Evans for the opening shift. The veterans came through as Kevin Obssuth opened the scoring just 52 seconds in, scoring his 19th on a rebound for a 1-0 lead.
The Kings continued to control the early stages of the first, opening up a large advantage in shots on goal while also adding to the lead on the scoreboard. First, Ethan Kimball notched his 14th of the season on another rebound around the net for a 2-0 advantage. 6 minutes later the Kings got on the board again and in doing so chasing Chiefs starter Mathieu Caron as Obssuth hit 20 goals via Kevin Obssuth picking the top corner on a powerplay.
In came backup goaltender Daniel Chenard, but a horror start for the Chiefs continued for their new goaltender as Jack Long got a shot away from just inside the blue line, it beat Chenard just 29 seconds into his night and the Kings led 4-1. Chilliwack got one back a minute and a half later on a nice individual effort from Corey Andonovski and it was 4-1 through 20 with the Kings dominating both the scoreboard and the shot totals, 24-10 Kings.
The second period struck a similar tone to Friday vs Vernon as the Chiefs came alive and took the game to the Kings. However much like Friday, Kings affiliate goaltender Derek Krall shut the door and allowed Ben Berard to score the only goal of the period as the Kings got out to a 5-1 lead through 40 despite being outshot 16-6 in the frame.
The Kings continued their pressure in the third, scoring twice through Jonny Evans and the 2nd to Berard as the Kings sent their fans home happy with a 7-1 win. Derek Krall continued a special week by winning his 3rd game in as many outings, stopping 39 shots in the victory.
Here’s what Jack Long and Kings coach Brock Sawyer had to say following the game:
Three Stars of the Game
1. Derek Krall (Kings) – 39 saves, 3rd win
2. Kevin Obssuth (Kings) – 2 goals
3. Ben Berard (Kings) – 2 goals
The Kings close the 2017/18 regular season with three in three on Vancouver Island. Friday night the Kings visit Cowichan Valley, before a season ending double header in Alberni Valley on Saturday and Sunday.
