It's been difficult to know exactly how good the Kings are, what with the injuries that at times decimated the lineup. On Tuesday night fans got a pretty good idea of that and they liked it a lot.
Kings fought off a number of Grizzly challenges during the game and got stronger through it to win decisively 8-3 and tie the series 2-2.
The first period was typical of these two teams played at a fast pace but no goals until the Kings scored at 18:50.
After a couple of failed breakaway attempts by Leung, Nogard broke free and wired a perfect shot top blocker to get his goal.
JJ Coleshaw got an early second period goal when he came out of the corner on the powerplay and his shot at 2:11 went in.
Grizzlies answered with a couple of goals in five minutes but a nice shortie got the Kings back out in front.
Luko won a battle on the boards at the Kings' blueline and he raced down the left wing with Keats headed to the net. A perfect centering pass was tipped in by Keats at 9:32.
Grizzlies tied it 3-3 on the powerplay at 17:02 but just 23 seconds later Leung and HIff combined on a great play.
Leung broke through the D but fell, then got up and then was hauled down by the defenseman. No call on the play but he somehow managed to get a shot off anyway as he slid.
"I went in and the guy tripped me," said Leung, "but I still got a shot away sliding on my butt."
The puck came off the end boards and out to Hiff who put it in the net at 17:25.
Kings got their second powerplay goal of the game when Scarth jumped on the rebound off a point shot at 19:55 to go up 5-3.
Keats started the third off on the right note with a huge effort and a big goal. He took the puck and centre and with a Fitzgerald on him, like a crow on an eagle, he broke free, then worked around an abandoned stick, went through a defenseman and deked Renyard with a nifty backhand. A perfect HON.
Scarth got his second on a nice pass from Luko that he drilled into the top left corner at 5:47 and then the messages started to come both teams for game five.
Chris Albertini was notably upset by the score and when Lukosevicius hit Pickup at center ice, Albertini threw off his gloves and came at the Kings forward. While the referees were in the middle, Albertini connected with a sucker punch and picked up a five for hit to the head and a game – a two game suspension according to the supplement unless the league overturns it.
On the ensuing five minute powerplay Stephen Hiff connected on a nice backdoor pass from Leung to make the final 8-3.
Jonah Imoo was extemely sharp in his 35 save win and the Kings were full credit for the victory.
"The effort was great," smiled Leung, "we played Kings hockey for a full 60 and managed to shut down the triplets, which is what we want."
Hard working Stephen Hiff was rewarded with two goals in the game and he said, "I've just been working hard and working for my chances and tonight I got some bounces and they found the back of the net."
"We got out on the powerplay," he said of his second goal, "and when coaches give us that opportunity we want to make the most of it."
Tied 2-2, Hiff commented, "we're confident right now, but every day is a new day in playoffs so we have to remain focused."
"Just keep that even keel and keep'er going."
Kings play in Victoria Thursday, back home on Friday and if required Victoria on Saturday.
Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Kurt Keats
2. Stephen
3. Jarryd Leung
Fortis Energy Player – Luke Nogard.
