The Powell River Kings kicked off the 2016-17 BCHL season Friday night in Victoria, but came out on the wrong end of a 2-1 score.
The game was delayed just a few minutes after puck drop, as the fire alarm sounded at the Q Centre forcing fans to evacuate for 15 minutes.
When play resumed, the Grizzles opened the scoring. While on the power play, Nathan Looysen was at the right-wing half wall and sent the puck to the goal line for Cole Pickup. He quickly fired the puck cross ice to Brett Stirling pinching in from the left point, who let go a snap shot past the blocker side of Brian Wilson.
Kyle Betts had a quality chance to tie the game while shorthanded later in the frame as he had a partial break coming down the left wing, but Matthew Galajda came up with a blocker save.
The score remained 1-0 after the first 20 minutes of play, but the Kings had a great chance early in the second, Cam Donaldson carried the puck down the left wing on a two-on-one rush before sending it across the crease for Betts. Despite letting go of the shot right away, Galajda was able to reach up and make the glove save to keep his team in the lead.
Galajda and Wilson stood tall in their respective nets as the game remained 1-0 through two periods of play, with the shots 21-18 in favour of the Grizzlies.
Betts had another great shorthanded chance in the third period as he and Tristan Mullin had a two-on-one break. Betts elected to keep on the play and fired a high shot that Galajda was able to stop with his right shoulder.
Just over the mid way point of the third period the Grizzlies extended their lead. A shot from the right point by Cody Van Leirop fluttered wide on the glove side, but bounced off the boards and came out on the far side. Justin Michaelian was parked in the right spot and chipped the puck in to make it 2-1.
The Kings had moments of extended pressure throughout the third and it finally paid off late in the game. After the puck was pinned in the left-wing corner in the Victoria end for 15 seconds, it came loose and Betts walked towards the net on the goal line. His jam attempt was stopped, but Liam Lawson found the rebound in the crease and knocked it in to cut the lead down to 2-1.
Unfortunately for the Kings they wouldn’t come any closer as Victoria held on for the 2-1 win. The Kings will look to rebound Saturday night as they head to Duncan to play the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
