Dante De Caria | Alicia Bass Photography
Powell River, BC – The Powell River Kings (7-7) dropped their fourth straight game after a 6-2 loss against the Penticton Vees (11-0) in front of 986 fans on Friday night at the Hap Parker Arena.
The Kings and Vees were tied 1-1 for a 1:26 early in the first period. David Silye potted redirected a puck off the glass and into the goal to give the Vees the 2-1 lead going into the second period. Penticton would go onto score four unanswered goals in the second for a 6-1 advantage, and an eventual 6-2 win.
“We need be a lot harder to play against,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer. “We were too emotionally invested and guys were putting themselves first, opposed to the team, and when we do that, we get away from our structure.”
The Vees improve to a CJHL best 11-0. Philadelphia Flyers first round pick Jay O’Brien (1G/2A) opened the scoring just over a minute into the first period, while Lukas Sillinger (1G/2A) and Danny Weight (1G/2A) produced with three-point nights.
Jacob Slipec scored his third of the season, potting home a rebound to tie the game at one, and Jacob Badal answered on the power-play late in the second for his third goal this season.
The Kings allowed four power-play goals, as the Vees man-advantage went 4-7. The Kings penalty kill has now allowed 14 power-play goals against over the last five games.
“Discipline is huge, as the best penalty kill is just not taking seven penalties, and we went out and took seven,” added Sawyer. “On the other side, they had ten penalties to kill (Kings went 1-10 on power-play). It’s frustrating, we have to learn from it and make sure we come and empty the tank tomorrow (Saturday).”
“We need to look at ourselves in the mirror and make sure that we’re hungry and determined for a win.”
The Kings are back in action on Saturday, October 12th at 5:00 p.m., against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
