The Powell River Kings sent 1200 fans home happy from the Hap Parker Arena on Saturday night, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to score five unanswered goals en route to a 5-3 victory on home and season opening night.
After an extended pre-game ceremony introducing the players and raising the 2017/18 Island Division Championship banner, the Kings andGrizzlies dropped the puck on a new season. It was the visitors to come out strong, leading the early shot counts substantially and finding a couple of sneaky goals. First, Marty Westhaver found a hole in tight for a 1-0 lead just past the 5 minute mark, then Victoria doubled it up through Riley Hughes with 5 remaining for a 2-0 advantage through 20. Shots on goal 12-9 Victoria.
The lead was compounded early in to the 2nd as Ryan Nolan scored less than a minute in to have the Kings fans deep in their seats and a 3-0 scoreline up above centre ice. However the Kings were far from done and found another gear. Matt Fawcett got a crucial goal to end the 2nd period as Ethan Kimball and Fawcett tried to settle a bouncing puck, Fawcett found it and snapped high on a screened Kurtis Chapman for the Kings first goal this season and a 3-1 score heading into the final period. Shots on goal 22-21 Victoria.
Into the third and the Kings got the dream start as Matt Fawcett pushed ahead off a faceoff and buried in tight for his 2nd of the game and a 3-2 score. Then six minutes later the game tying goal courtesy Liam Lytton who made a nice move to open up a shot for his first as a King and a 3-3 game.
The eventual game winner came with just over 7 minutes remaining as Kyle Kawamura made a nice keep at the line, survived a battle and got a chance on goal that generated a rebound for Mitch Williams to put home for his 1st of the year and a 4-3 advantage. The Kings got the empty net to ice the victory, surviving some late penalty kill time and a 6-on-4 Victoria push, Williams on the empty netter going post and in from the blue line. Mitch Adamyk rallied after a shaky start, stopping 26 Victoria shots for his 1st win of the year.
Here’s what Brock Sawyer and Matt Fawcett had to say in the Facebook Live Postgame Show:
Three Stars of the Game
1, Matt Fawcett (Kings) – 2 goals, 1 assist
2. Ryan Nolan (Grizzlies) – 1 goal
3. Kyle Kawamura (Kings) – 2 assists
The Kings return to action Friday night at the Hap Parker Arena, hosting the Nanaimo Clippers for a pair of games. Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 5:00pm.