Kings glide to a 5-2 win over the Capitals in the opening game of their seven game series.
The game offered nothing new from either team as the Kings dominated the Caps with speed and finesse to score the first four goals of the game while blasting 59 pucks at the two goaltenders called on by Cowichan.
Jordan Grant, Cody Rainaldi, Chad Niddery and Mat Bodie chased starter Alexandre Peck after 40 minutes of play and he was replaced by Laurent Brossoit.
Kings had numerous powerplay opportunities thanks to the undisciplined play of former King Ryan Green and rookie Brendon MacDonald.
The two of them probably spent as much time in the penalty box as they did on the players bench as they continually took needless penalties which cost their team.
Kings were quite happy to take advantage of a couple of those opportunities as they ducked under the elbows of MacDonald who was usually high and late.
Kings played a little complacent with the score 4-2 but got it back together to added a nice goal by Daniel Carr late in the third period to ice the game.
Josh Watson was solid throughout and was called upon on one play to stop Joey Massingham who jumped on a King turnover and sped in on a breakaway and the resulting rebound.
Cowichan was chippy from the opening whistle intending to either intimidate or goad the Kings into that style of play but the Kings were having none of it and stuck to their game plan which was ultimately successful.
“We got a little sloppy with the lead,” said coach Kent Lewis after the game, “but other than that we did a lot of good things tonight and we did what we needed to do.”
“Now we get ready for tomorrow.”
When asked about the Cowichan style of play Lewis said, “at the end of the day tough hockey is tough hockey and that wasn't tough hockey – nor is the verbal stuff.”
“Tough hockey is when you win 5-2, block shots and you're willing to pay the price.”
“And that's what we've got to play,” he emphasized.
Small crowd with the Canadian game on but Kings expect more for game 2 on Saturday night at 7:30 P.M.
Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Cody Rainaldi
2. Daniel Carr
3. Nick Amies
