The Kings surrendered a 2-0 lead to trail 4-2 in the second period, however three unanswered goals helped the Kings get back into the win column with a 5-4 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Valentine’s Day.
The Silverbacks got off to a quick start, pressuring the Kings zone from the opening puck drop. The Kings got back into the game not long after and built pressure on Salmon Arm. On the game’s first powerplay, Carter Turnbull sniped home his 21st of the season after some good passing up top from Jeremy LeClerc and Andy Stevens for a 1-0 lead that help up through 20.
Into the 2nd and the Kings got a 2-0 lead through a shorthanded rush, turned breakaway for Kyle Betts when he took advantage of a Silverbacks player colliding with a linesman. Betts deked and tucked the puck in on his forehand for his 21st of the season. However the celebrations were to be shortlived. Salmon Arm would counter with four unanswered goals, chasing Kings starter Jeff Smith in the process and building a 4-2 lead in front of a stunned Hap Parker crowd.
The Kings would get a crucial momentum-stopping goal as Hunter Findlater buried a loose puck around the net for his 5th of the season to cut the lead to one at the 2nd break.
The third period started quickly for the Kings who tied the game up via a centering pass from Jonny Evans, setting up a quick release from Rylan Ball for his 11th of the year. Then a few minutes later Austin Kamer scored the second shorthanded goal of the game and his 14th of the year and the Kings held on for a 5-4 win. Stefan Wornig earned the win after coming in relief for Jeff Smith, stopping 16 of 17 shots.
The result means that the Kings wrap their nine game homestand with a record of 7-0-1-1, 16 of a possible 18 points on offer. It also wraps the team’s regular season schedule at home, with all five games remaining on the road. The home record this season finishes an impressive 22-5-1-1.
Three Stars of the Game
- Carter Turnbull (Kings) – 1 goal, 1 assist
- Taro Hirose (Silverbacks) – 1 assist
- Rylan Ball (Kings) – 1 goal
The Kings hit the road for the final two weeks of the regular season and head into a pivotal double header against the Nanaimo Clippers at the Frank Crane Arena next weekend, games Friday and Saturday nights.
