Merritt, BC – The Powell River Kings (18-16-2) defeated the Merritt Centennials (9-22-4) 6-1 on Wednesday night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
The Kings improve to 1-1 over the first two games of their four game road trip, while also snapping their mini two game losing-streak. The Kings got goals from throughout the whole lineup, as six different forwards found the net.
“After last night’s performance (4-1 loss) and last Friday’s performance (4-3 loss), it was a little overdue,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer. “We put an emphasis of just earning it, playing hard and sacrificing for the team.”
After the Hunor Torzsok opened the scoring for Merritt, Jack Long fired a low shot from the point, and through the five-hole of Tanner Marshall to tie it up at one for Powell River. Long picked up his second goal against Merritt and third goal this season. That was the start of six consecutive goals scored by the Kings.
Brett Roloson scored his 12th of the season, giving the Kings 2-1 lead just over two minutes into the second period. Levi Glasman shot the puck off Marshall’s pad, and the rebound landed on the tape of Roloson, picking up his fifth goal in a Kings uniform.
“He (Levi Glasman) did a great job off the rush, and we had a great middle lane drive which sucked their defenceman back, ” added Sawyer on Roloson’s game-winning goal against his former team. “It’s the easiest play in hockey, and that’s to have a good entry, good middle lane drive, and a shot off the far pad for a rebound.”
Derek Krall earned his fourth win over his last five starts, allowing one goal on 34 shots. He improves to 2-2 against the Centennials lifetime.
“He was solid, and he’s a guy who’s played in the Interior Division and he’s played here (Merrit). He was very good. He slowed down the play when he needed to, he was square to shooters and he didn’t give up many rebounds tonight.”
Cents’ goaltender Tanner Marshall stopped 32 of 38 in their third straight loss. Torszok had their only goal, scoring his 11th of the season and ninth over his last seven games.
The Kings penalty kill went 5-for-5 while the power play went 2-for-6. The Kings improve to 4-6 against the Interior Division, and grab their third victory when opponents score first.
Levi Glasman had a goal and two assists, Jacob Badal had a goal and an assist, and Dylan Finlay had two assists in the win.
The Powell River Kings are back in action Friday, December 20th against the Penticton Vees at 7:00 p.m from the South Okanagan Events Centre. Kings will wrap up their first half schedule on Saturday night south of the border against the Wenatchee Wild.
You can catch all the action on 95.7 Coast FM.
