It was a lot closer than many thought it was going to be, given the start to the 3rd period. But the Kings managed to hold off a determined Cowichan side 5-4 in Powell River on Friday night.
- Two shorthanded goals, two powerplay goals and one even-strength game winner. When was the last time that happened? Tonight’s game reminded me a lot of the mid-season Kings, in a manner that the penalty kill seemed to give the team momentum. Goals on the kill are always gravy, to get 2 is fantastic, but it was the way they happened. Cowichan had very limited chances on their 5 powerplays tonight, with the Kings controlling a bulk of two of them.
- On the other side, powerplay was good tonight. Keats and Nogard both scoring on the man advantage with the Kings doing a good job of setting up, working the puck around and looking for a jam in around the net. Keats’ goal was textbook ‘shot-from-the-point-and-jam-in’. Kings wind up 2/3 on the man advantage.
- Goaltending was ok tonight, and rode a bit of a rollercoaster. Jonah Imoo made some really nice saves early, and kept the Kings in it with the visitors taking an early lead in both shots and good scoring chances. The 2nd shot of the game (I think, certainly early) was a bit of a heart-in-mouth type moment with Imoo winding up snow-angeled in the crease. However towards the end, a bit of a battle. Neher a nice tip through the 5-hole, then what looked like some sort of pad malfunction where a shot from Neher along the ice, something that’s a routine pad save into the corner, got under Imoo’s left leg when the pad didn’t go down with his leg. In the end, a win is a win, 24 saves for Imoo and his 16th victory.
- Both Luke Ripley and Ryan Scarfo were excellent tonight in their returns. Ripley didn’t look to have missed a beat after 28 games away. I don’t recall seeing him an awful lot in the 3rd, so the endurance may not be there 100%, but he started the game, killed penalties and had a key block late in the 3rd to take away a scoring chance. All-in-all, excellent. Scarfo as well, slotted right back in. 1 goal and 2 assists in his return, skated well with the puck, shot well, rushed well.
- 11 forward and 7 D forced a change mid-way through the game with Aidan Wright jumping up into the forward ranks, centring a line late in the game. Not bad for a veteran defenceman. I asked him about it after the game, he said the last time he played up front was 2004-ish.
- Kings will want to tidy up the start and end to the game. No shots in the opening 8 or so minutes, combined with a great push from Cowichan in the last 10 minutes of the 3rd. The full 60 still eludes the Kings over the last little while, but they did enough for the win tonight.
Here’s what Derek Bachynski had to say in the post-game:
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Three Stars of the Game
- Drew Dorantes (2 goals)
- Ryan Scarfo (1 goal, 2 assists)
- Kurt Keats (1 goal, 1 assist)
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Luke Ripley
For those into scoreboard watching, the Kings had a pretty big night out of town.
- Victoria were defeated by the Nanaimo Clippers by a 4-2 score. The Grizzlies loss and a Kings win now gives Powell River a 5-point advantage in the Island Division, with both teams having 11 to play. The Kings lead the way on 67 points, 5 ahead of Victoria and 15 up on Nanaimo.
- Penticton lost 2-1 against Salmon Arm. This gives the Kings a 3-point advantage over the Vees in the overall standings, with again both teams having played 47 games.
- Finally, Langley were idle tonight so the Kings used one of their three games in hand over the Rivermen. With the Kings win, both teams are now tied on 67 points at the top of the BCHL standings, however Powell River does still have 2 games in hand over Langley.
The Kings and Capitals go straight back at it Saturday night, a 5:00pm start at the Hap Parker Arena.
