Kings met the Capitals on Friday night and even before the game was underway, fans were given a preview as to what to expect in the next 60 minutes.
Kings' Dasilva and Cap's Bernard strayed over the line in warmup and both were given 10's to start the game.
The Cap's strategy has been clear and that's to intimidate and harrass a few of the key players for the Kings but it doesn't account for the overall Kings' speed and skill.
Both of those were dominant in the first two period and if not for the Caps' Derek Dun, this game would have been over early.
As it was Kings got burnt on the powerplay when Mike Hammond stole a puck and came down the wing on Dasilva. He let a screen go from 25 feet and Garteig was caught on the short side to give the Caps a 1-0 lead at 8:40 of the second period.
Three minutes later Hammond spotted Grant backdoor and Garteig got a piece but the puck flipped in to give the Caps a startling 2-0 lead.
Hard for the Kings to take after outplaying Cowichan but they kept coming and finally on a 3 on 1 Forbes elected to shoot and let a wrist shot go from the faceoff circle and beat Dun high with just over one minute to go in the period.
Kings couldn't get anything out of the powerplay in the game but just before one expired (Hlalloren off for five for blow to the head on Adair) Garbowsky let a shot go from the point and Cohen Adair got his revenge when he tipped it in to tie 2-2.
Weird one because of all the good chances Kings had – that play looked very innocent until it found the net.
The winning goal came when a Caps defenceman fell and coughed up the puck to Steven Schmidt who went in on a two one one with Renner. Schmidt elected to shoot and he drilled a beauty off the crossbar and in to put the Kings ahead at 12:15.
The last nail in the coffin came just 30 seconds later when Sones found Garbowsky alone in front and he put the puck into the wide open net to make it 4-2
That goal didn't set well with the Caps and while the Kings were doing their thing Bernard came right into the circle and drilled Sones in the head.
Bernard left the game but things went downhill from there and it was evident that Cowichan wanted to leave a mark.
After a couple of fights near the end Kings and Caps added a goal each and the end result was one that was loudly cheered by the fans.
Kings are getting used to other teams coming in and wanting a shot a them but Garbowsky said later, “it makes us realize we can't come out slow because a lot of these teams are gunning for us and none of these games are going to be easy.”
Looking ahead to Nanaimo on Saturday night he said, “we're going to have to work hard – outwork them.”
Simple yet effective.
Ron Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Matt Garbowsky
2. Brenden Forbes (Gordie Howe hatty)
3. Derek Dun
