By: Dante De Caria | Photo: Alicia Baas –
Powell River, BC – The Powell River Kings (22-21-3) completed the comeback, and broke the tie in the third, leading to a 5-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers (27-14-4) in front of a crowd of 826 on Friday night at the Hap Parker Arena.
The Clippers held a 2-1 lead after one period of play. Brett Roloson deflected home a PJ Garrett shot from the slot, tying the contest at two. The Kings followed with three goals in the third period, with Krogfoss netting the go-ahead goal on a shot that went off his skate and into the net.
Ethan Schmunk scored his 10th of the year, extending his goal-streak to three games with goal on the power play to extend the Kings to 4-2. Levi Glasman would put the icing on the cake late in the third, scoring his second of the game, and 17th of the season, firing a wrist-shot off the bar and in.
All of the King scoring came after Michael Abgrall beat Tyler Williams in a fight, which gave the Kings momentum, leading to an offensive outburst.
“I like that Michael (Abgrall) stepped up to the challenge, and as a 16-year-old, he beat the wheels off the kid (Williams),” said Kings Head Coach and GM Tyler Kuntz. “That does sway the emotion, and it lifted the team up. Once we got the momentum, I didn’t see us lose it for the rest of the game.”
The Kings improve to 12-8 on home ice this season, and to 13-8-2 against Island Division opponents.
Kings netminder Derek Krall made 24 saves on 26 shots, and 14 saves in the third period for his 17th win this season. Clippers goaltender Jordan Naylor stopped 29 of 34, giving up a season high five goals against in the loss.
The Kings move back over .500 for the first time since December 30th, while also improving to 4-3-1 since the Christmas break, and snapping their two game home losing-streak. The Kings are still tied for third in the Island Division with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, but now 10th in the BCHL.
“We’re not really concerned about catching a Cowichan or Nanaimo,” added Kuntz. “I have our sights set on Chilliwack (6th overall), and I think he would be a good feather in the hat for the team, kids and organization to have a young team like this that can push and get to that spot.”
The Kings wrap up their double-header tonight against the Clippers at 5:00 p.m., inside the Hap Parker Arena. The Kings have five more game left over this six game homestand.
