A pair of goals from Austin Kamer helped propel the Kings to a big 6-2 in Victoria on Friday night, building momentum for the Kings and potentially putting Victoria’s season on the line.
It took all of 14 seconds for the Kings to open the scoring at the start of what would be a messy and greasy opening 20. Off the opening draw, Gavin Rauser carried the puck in and after an attempted shot by Hunter Findlater was sent wide on a tip from Austin Kamer, Rauser would stuff it in for his 10th of the season and a 1-0 advantage. Victoria would respond on the next shift, scoring to make it 1-1 with less than 90 seconds elapsed.
The score would stay 1-1 through most of the period, but when the Kings scored goals 2:16 apart late in the frame it put control of the contest firmly with the Kings. First, Austin Kamer scored on a rebound to the side of the net for his 16th of the year, then Jonny Evans stole a puck inside the Grizzlies zone and fed Nick Halagian for the easy tap in on his 15th. 3-1 Kings through 20.
The Grizzlies cut the lead to one early in the second period as Tyler Welsh skated in unopposed and shot from the high slot. However a quick response as Jonny Evans called his own number and scored his 17th of the year for a 4-2 advantage.
Kyle Betts added a powerplay goal in similar fashion to Kamer’s in the 2nd period. An Adam Brubacher point shot cannoned off the Victoria netminder and Betts was able to bury from a sharp angle for his 23rd of the season. Austin Kamer would add his second of the game in the third period, on a snapshot from the right side for his first multi-goal game in the BCHL and a 6-2 Kings win.
Jeff Smith stopped 30 Victoria shots for his 25th win of the season. The win is just the third (in eight tries) against Victoria this season and their first at the Q Centre since last year’s playoffs.
https://soundcloud.com/powell-river-kings/february-26th-postgame
Three Stars of the Game
- Austin Kamer (Kings) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Adam Brubacher (Kings) – 2 assists
- Gavin Rauser (Kings) – 1 goal
The Kings continue their final road trip of the season on Saturday night, opening up a rare road double header against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at 7:00pm.
