The Kings lost more than a hockey game Saturday night in Langley, then also lost both 1st place in the BCHL and 1st in the Island Division to the Vees and Grizzlies respectively.
Some real quick thoughts, it’s all summed up in Chad’s audio below. The Kings ruined a good start on the road, 1-0 on the road after 20 and a penalty kill that’s been so good all season long, and often been a trigger for offensive output was victimised for 3 goals on 5 attempts. The Rivermen would end up scoring 4 in the period and the game was essentially put beyond doubt. The Kings did come out well in the 3rd and had a couple of good chances. Keats down the left wing teed up Lukosevicius for his 2nd of the game (his 1st was a beauty toe drag around Zach Urban) showed some spark, but the Kings were again let down by finishing. Shots over the crossbar, shots wide and Dorantes poking it towards goal and it hitting the base of the cross bar and sitting in the crease.
Here’s what Chad had to say in the post-game show:
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A quick preview on today, as the Kings travel to West Kelowna for a 2:30 puck drop against the Warriors. The Warriors are always a difficult team to play again, with their highly skilled forwards that move the puck very well. The Warriors especially seem to love working in the corners, below the goal line and finding seams through traffic for deflections or tip ins in front. Seb Lloyd is an especially dangerous player as both a goal scorer and a set up man. The Warriors have won their last 2 games, including a 2-0 shutout of the Merritt Centennials last night. It was goaltender Andy Desautels’ first shutout with the club.
It was a big 2 points for a club that was able to vault over Merritt for 4th in the Interior Division. While the points have stretched out a little, the Interior is still a highly competitive and tight division with teams consistently changing spots in the standings. The Warriors are 4 back of the Silverbacks for 3rd, and with the Cents also in action today, the Warriors will be keen to get points against the Kings to finish the weekend in a playoff spot.
Speaking of place in the standings, for the first time in a long time the Kings sit in 2nd place in the Island Division, a point behind the Victoria Grizzlies. Despite all the success the team has had this year, that swap goes to show just how competitive the BCHL is and how one bad weekend can have big impacts. Victoria is hosting Penticton today, with both teams about to do the Kings a favour in different ways. A Victoria win ensures them top spot in the Division and the BCHL come weekend end. A Penticton win keeps them in 1st place, but allows the
