The Powell River Kings (18-10-1-0) welcomed the Cowichan Valley Capitals (14-11-2-2) to the Hap Parker Arena for the first time this season and came out on the wrong end of a 6-4 game.
The Kings opened the scoring just 31 seconds in when Jonny Evans deflected in his 16th of the year on a shot from Andy Stevens.
While on the power play the Capitals tied the game as Rhett Kingston snuck a shot under the blocker of Brian Wilson just 4:10 into the first period.
Cam Donaldson fired up the highlight reel to restore the Kings lead later in the period. After taking a pass from Tristan Mullin, Donaldson raced up the middle of the ice towards the Cowichan end.
Donaldson poked the puck forward before stepping out of the way out of Ben Verrall, who ran into his defence partner, before coming in on a breakaway and snapping a shot past the blocker of Adam Marcoux for his 20th of the year.
Cowichan responded again though, this time it was the Kings getting caught on a change and Ty Pochipinski came in on a two-on-none rush with Nicholas Wilson. Pochipinski hit Wilson with a pass and he beat Brian Wilson on the backhand to tie the game again,
Early in the second period the Kings regained their lead on a power play of their own. Callum Volpe let a shot go from the left point that was deflected in by Tristan Mullin.
Just 42 seconds later the Capitals tied the game. Jared Domin gathered the puck at his own blue line before flying down the right wing, powering his way to the goal and stuffing the puck past Wilson to tie the game again.
The goal would end Brian Wilson’s night as he was pulled for Mitch Adamyk after giving up three goals on 14 shots.
Before the period was up, Cowichan took their first lead of the game. Kingston again came down the left wing into the Kings end, but this time snapped a quick shot past the glove of Adamyk with a minute left in the frame.
The Kings struck early in the third period to tie the game as Mullin scored his second of the game on a shot from the slot under three minutes in.
Shortly after the goal the Kings were given a power play chance, but it was the Capitals finding the back of the net. A shorthanded goal by Pochipinski gave Cowichan a lead they wouldn’t relinquish as they would add an empty-net goal for the 6-4 final.
The Kings have a quick chance to rebound against the Caps as the two teams play again Saturday night at 5:00.
Don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the local food bank. It’s the annual Five Hole for Food challenge, and two years ago the Kings won the BCHL’s bragging rights by receiving over 10,000 pounds worth of donations.
