Port Alberni, BC – The Powell River Kings (20-20-2) snapped their two game losing-streak, defeating the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (25-15-2) 6-5 in front of 863 fans at the Weyerhaeuser Arena on Sunday night.
The Powell River Kings bounce back after a 3-1 loss on Saturday, and split their double-header with the Bulldogs, while also taking a 4-2 season series lead.
Jacob Badal’s second of the game made it 6-4 Kings with just over five minutes to play in the third period. That turned out to be the difference, as the Bulldogs made it a 6-5 game with under two minutes to go.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring just before the media timeout, as Caige Sterzer banked home a rebound in front. That only lasted four minutes and change, as Rowan Miller stripped the puck away from the Alberni Valley defense, went on a breakaway, and scored between his legs to tie it up 1-1.
Less than a minute later, Brett Roloson gave the Kings a 2-1 lead, extending his point-streak to three games with his 13th of the season. That momentum carried over into the second period, as the Kings scored three more goals, combining for five unanswered goals after the Bulldogs opened the scoring. Badal added his first of two, Levi Glasman scored his 15th and Jack Brackett tallied his ninth for a 5-1 lead early in the second.
“You go to the net, play with some pace, play hard and good things will happen,” said Powell River Kings Head Coach and GM Tyler Kuntz. “We needed guys to stick to the game plan and play harder. There’s no secret that we’ve scored a lot of games once and nonce, and it’s because we don’t go to the net, but we did today.”
Kings goaltender Derek Krall allowed five goals on 42 shots, picking up his 16th win of the season. The Nanaimo, BC native kept the Kings in the hockey game during the third period, stopping 18 of 21 in the final frame.
“I give Derek Krall a lot of credit because he just competed his stones off,” added Kuntz on Krall’s performance. “Ya he gave up five goals, but realistically, we don’t get any points if he’s not in the net doing his job. I liked how he handled himself in his first back-to-back where he’s had a win. That’s a good take home for him, and it’s good for the team as well.”
The Bulldogs four game winning-streak comes to an end. Both Luke Pearson and Jackson Glassford appeared in the net, and they both gave up three goals on 17 shots. Alberni Valley did get two goal performances from Dawson Tritt and Josh Zary, as well as a multi-point effort from Sterzer in the loss.
Reilly Moran finished with a two assist contest, while Roloson, Miller, Glasman and Badal each tallied mulit-point games. Ethan Schmunk played in his 100th BCHL game.
The Powell River Kings are back in action this Friday at 7:00 p.m., against the Wenatchee Wild from the Hap Parker Arena. The Kings will then wrap up the weekend in Victoria and and Duncan against the Cowichan Capitals.
