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Kings split games 1 & 2 on the road in playoff return

Recap is presented by Iris Optometry.

The Kings returned to playoff hockey for the first time since 2020 over the weekend as they met with the Surrey Eagles in the first round. The teams split the season series two a piece and it would be the first meeting between these teams in the playoffs since 2012.

Game 1 would go down at the South Surrey Arena Friday night. With home ice advantage the Eagles put that to good use in this game, especially from the the get go. They would open the scoring 11 minutes into the period when for Kings Jacob Bonkowski potted in a rebound which would be the first time a team has scored on a power play against the other this season. The Eagles would extend the lead just under 5 minutes later after Kyle Metson was unable to cover the puck and Ante Zlomislic was right there to knock it in as the Eagles led by two after the opening 20, and were also outshot the Kings 21-10.

The Kings would manage to level the playing field in the second but were still unable to find the great scoring chances they needed. Surrey would add to their lead 7:16 in when Zach Wagnon finished off a cross ice one timer to make it 3-0. The three goal lead would then turn to four a few minutes later after Tate Taylor would take a shot from the right corner would be stopped by Metson, but the rebound would bounce right to Ryden Evers who knocked it into the open cage, as the Eagles where in full control up 4-0 heading into the third.

The third would be the best period for the Kings with a lot more time in the offensive zone but where unable to solve Michael Sochan who made 29 saves to pick up the shutout in his first career playoff start. The final shots would end up being 48-29 for the Eagles. Kyle Metson who was arguably one of the best Kings on the night made 38 saves. The Kings penalty kill went 1 for 4 while they did not have a power play in the game.

 

Both team would battle it out once again on Saturday. The Kings looked for the victory to head home with the series tied, while the Eagles look take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

After getting shutout in game 1 the Kings wasted no time getting their first in game 2. The opening goal would come 2:07 in after Cam Symons wrap around was stopped, Adam Mendelson would pounce on the loose puck and score the first goal of the series for the Kings. Shortly later the Kings would find themselves on a 5 minute major power play when Ty Brassington was asset a blow to the head major, opening the door for the Kings to blow the game open. The Kings would have numerous chances but where unable to score, but when it was all said and done, the Kings led on the shot clock 10-0 as we approached the midway point of the period. The Eagles would try try to build off that big PK but the Kings put a halt to that as they would extend the led to two when Cam Symons passed to Anthony Lucarelli, who took the shot which was stopped, but Adam Mendelson was there again to clean it up for his second of the period to make it 2-0. It would be a perfect start for the Kings who outshot the Eagles 16-5 in the period.

Once the second got going the Eagles came out hungry after a disappointing opening period, but the Kings would put a damper on their spirts once again. 1:43 into the period Dylan would wrist a puck into the corner from the redline, the puck would take a hard bound off the glass at the Zamboni gate right to the Eagles net as the puck banked of Sochan and in to make it 3-0 Powell River. After giving up the third goal the Eagles where starting to get desperate and would start to put more pressure on the Kings D. They would managed to get their first at 12:48 when Ryden Evers banked a shot of Metson from the side of the net to reduce the Kings lead to two. Once that goal went in things started to get a little rough as the animosity started to take shape, but the Kings remained up 3-1 heading into the final period.

The Kings would start the third on a power play and would waste no time, as Jack Blanchett would unleash a cannon from the right circle 35 seconds in to make it 4-1 for the good guys. With momentum fully on their side the Kings would quickly add one more to their tally, when Ryder Ringor tapped in a rebound off an Anthony Yu chance at 2:02 to make it 5-1. Now down big the Eagles would really start to apply the pressure and pushed to get closer. They would get their second of the game at 4:31 off a goal from Rylan Bonkowski who also cleaned up a rebound to make it 5-2. The Eagles would get a few more scoring chances on breakaways shortly after but Kyle Metson shut them down, as he had another fantastic performance in net. Surrey would get one more on the board with under 3 minutes to go, but they wouldn’t get any closer as the Kings held on for a 5-3 win in game 2 to even up the series 1-1 going back to Powell River.

The Eagles outshot the Kings 21-10 in the third and 41-36 overall as Kyle Metson made 38 saves for the second game in a row. The power play would go 1/3 and the penalty kill went a perfect 2-2.

With a big win on the road the Kings will look to continue their strong play at the Hap with games 3 & 4 Monday and Tuesday. Game 3 will start at 7pm, but the festivities begin at 5:30pm with a tailgate party hosted by Royal LePage. Then for game 4 all children 12 and under will receive free admission, thanks to Sunshine Coast Health Centre. That game will also be at 7pm. You can buy your tickets online at tickets.powellriverkings.com

Massullo Motors Highlights | www.powellriverkings.com/highlights

Postgame interviews with Harry Mahesh | www.powellriverkings.com/postgame-interviews