The Kings bounced back from an early 2-0 deficit and scored 3-straight en route to a 3-2 victory over Nanaimo to take game 1 of the Island Division Semi-Final.
Here are some thoughts from the game:
- Jeff Smith admitted after the game that he was pretty nervous going in. The 1st goal showed, a routine shot off the right wing got through the Maple Ridge product. After that, rock solid. Wasn’t asked to be spectacular, but made some smart decisions in his play, especially in the 3rd when he made a diving pokecheck on a 50/50 puck in the slot.
- Rough start for the Kings who just looked slow in the opening 10. A penalty off the opening faceoff does little to help matters and build momentum, feeding off a crowd at the start of a series. Once the Kings got into the game however, much different story.
- Cole Arcuri’s goal in the 1st period was HUGE. Obviously a 2-1 scoreline is a much better situation than a 3-0 one, but the Kings really needed the “next” goal in the 1st to get themselves into a game. The nature of Arcuri’s goal, and end to end rush from a defenceman was a huge pump up.
- Kurt Keats was good all night. Every rush looked threatening and it didn’t seem to matter if it was Scarth out there with Luko, or Grayson or McCarrick, Keats was able to find guys. The 2nd and 3rd goals are direct results of Keats work along the boards and “earned” first assists.
- We saw some playoff emotion, an appropriate level for game 1. I would expect to see another level in game 2 as the longer the game went on, the more ‘conversations’ there were. Certainly Luke Sandler and Ryan Scarfo had a couple of battles through the evening, among other players.
Here’s what Derek Bachynski had to say after the game:
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Three Stars of the Game
- Cole Arcuri (Kings) – 1 goal
- Kurt Keats (Kings) – 2 assists
- Josh McArdle (Clippers)
Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game: Lucas Grayson
Game 2 is tonight, a 6:30 start at the Hap Parker Arena. Games 3 and 4 are in Nanaimo over the weekend, if needed a game 5 would be in Powell River on Monday.
