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Kings Earn First Win Since 03/04 in Penticton

For the first time since December 14th, 2003, a span of 5074 days, the Powell River Kings earned a road win in Penticton as the 2017/2018 version of the Kings scored shorthanded, on the powerplay and twice even strength for a 4-2 win over the Vees on Saturday night.

A good start for the Kings as they got out to a quick 5-0 advantage in shots in the opening 5 minutes, however it was the Vees to get the lead through a blue line shot on the powerplay from Jonny Tychonik and a 1-0 lead. The Vees continued to press but it was the Kings to strike with a pair of goals just 12 seconds apart in the latter stages of the frame.

First, on the powerplay, Gavin Rauser, Josh Coblenz and Ben Berard dig a puck out of the corner and fed the blue line where Kyle Kawamura put a puck on net for Rauser to tip home his 6th of the season and a 1-1 game. Then off the ensuing faceoff, Trent Bell used some excellent acceleration for a chance on goal, only for the puck to trickle to Neal Samanski who putted it off the base of the post and in off the goalies leg for his first in the BCHL and a 2-1 Kings lead through 20.

A tight second period where the Kings got in a bit of a parade to the penalty box, but it was the Kings to score. On a Penticton breakout, Andy Stevens stepped up at centre and picked off a Vees pass setting him on a breakaway. Stevens made no mistake, scoring his 1st of the season for a 3-1 lead.

Into the third period and the Kings continued to give up powerplay chances, but it was again Powell River to generate the offence. As a Kings powerplay expired, Ben Berard was able to gather a puck off the end wall and fire from the side of the net for his 6th of the year and a 4-1 advantage.

The Vees got one on a late powerplay but Mitch Adamyk did enough to get the Kings over the line, making several key saves late in the game. The Kings win 4-2 despite being outshot 37-29. The win is the 11th on the season for the Kings, with Mitch Adamyk stopping 35 for his 8th victory on the year.

The win is the first for the Kings ever at the South Okanagan Events Centre, which opened in 2008 and the first win in Penticton since Austin Sutter scored his 13th of the season in double overtime on December 14th, 2003.

Brock Sawyer joins us for our Facebook Live post game show here in Penticton, talking about tonight's 4-2 win against the Vees.

Posted by Powell River Kings on Saturday, November 4, 2017

Three Stars of the Game

1. Mitch Adamyk (Kings) – 35 saves, 8th win
2. Jonny Tychonik (Vees) – 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Andy Stevens (Kings) – 1 goal, game winner

The Kings wrap their weekend in Salmon Arm on Sunday afternoon, a 3:00pm puck drop at the Shaw Centre.