The Powell River Kings continued their struggles both in Victoria and against the Grizzlies with a 5-3 loss in Victoria on Friday night.
- A slow and pretty disappointing start for a Kings team which shone and excelled after the break against a Grizzlies team that hadn’t played in 3 weeks. The opening 20, particularly early, made it look like the first game back from the break for both clubs. Bad clears, turnovers on the blue line (that led to a scoring chance just seconds into the contest) and sloppy all over the ice in the opening 10 minutes.
- Into the 2nd and the Kings came alive bit by bit but found themselves down 3-0 before Kyle Betts, Tristan Mullin and Liam Lawson showed flashes of what the Kings had over the weekend at home against Nanaimo and Alberni. The back to back goals, 13 seconds apart changed the nature of the game but the Kings were unable to get an equaliser in the 2nd, trailing 3-2 through 40.
- A 4-2 Grizzlies goal put the Kings back on their heels, but the team came out flying in the 3rd, edging out an early advantage in shots of goal. A shortie from Betts on an error from Victoria goaltender Matt Galajda as he looked to keep a powerplay rolling and wound up mishandling a Betts shot and having it in the back of his net.
- Again within one, the Kings pushed but the Grizzlies pushed back and no equaliser came and the Kings fell in the Victoria by a 5-3 score.
- 5th loss against the Victoria Grizzlies this season, and the 3rd in Victoria.
- Off the ice, there was a touching salute to Reid Kyfiuk who tragically lost his life on Mount Washington back on December 22nd in a snowboarding accident. His family, who lived in Powell River before moving to Saanich when Reid was 8. It was a classy move from the Grizzlies to salute Reid’s family, his team mates, his friends and Reid himself at the game, and involve Powell River as they did. You can watch some of the activities at the rink by clicking here.
Three Stars of the Game
- Kyle Betts (Kings) – 2 goals, 1 assist
- Cole Pickup (Grizzlies) – 2 goals
- Brayden Gehlsinger (Grizzlies) – 3 goals
The Kings continue their 3-game road trip in Nanaimo on Saturday night, a 6:00pm start at the Frank Crane Arena.
