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Kings Score Five Unanswered, Beat Grizzlies 5-3

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:

September 8 Postgame Show

Brock Sawyer joins us to talk about tonight's game against the Victoria Grizzlies

Posted by Powell River Kings on Saturday, September 8, 2018

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.