Weekend Recap is presented by Iris Optometry
After two straight weeks on the road the Kings returned to the Hap to kick off an 8 game homestand against the Victoria Grizzlies as the Kings we’re looking to end their 5 game losing skid with their parents at the Hap.
On Friday it was the Grizzlies getting the icebreaker midway through the 1st period on a power play when Luc Pelletier scored after getting his own rebound and this would be the 11th straight game the Kings gave up the opening goal as the Grizzlies took the one goal lead into the second period.
Despite trailing after the opening period the Kings were the better team in the first and continued their strong play in the second and tied it on a power play at 7:48 when Parker Lalonde tucked it under the pad of Grizzlies goalie Oliver Auyeung-Ashton for his 6th of the season. That goal got things cooking for the Kings and they would take the lead 7 minutes later when a fortunate bounce behind the Grizzlies goal went to Anthony Yu who slid it by Auyeung-Ashton who was slow to react to the play as Yu snapped his long goaless drought and notched his 6th of the season. 30 seconds later the Kings would extend the lead when Dylan Hewlett’s point shot hit a Grizzly and went in for his second of the season. Everything seemed to be going the Kings way, then 3 minutes later two Grizzlies would collide at the Kings blue line which allowed Anthony Yu to go on a breakaway and he made a move to the backhand to score his second of the period. The Kings weren’t done in the second just yet as with 15 seconds remaining the Kings would force a turnover and the puck would go to Cam Symons at the side of the net and redirected the puck in as he finally scored his first BCHL goal as the Kings took a 5-1 lead into the third.
In the final period the Grizzlies would get one back when Reegan Hiscock scored on a breakaway but a minute after that Parker Lalonde scored his second of the game going top corner over new Victoria goalie Gus Holt. The Kings would add one more for insurance on another power player when Ryder Ringor fed a streaking Nic Porchetta who tipped it into the net for his 6th as the Kings would go on to win 7-2.
It would be a dominant performance for the Kings who put 52 shots on the the Grizzlies goal while the power play went 2 for 5 and Kyle Metson made 21 saves in the victory.
Saturday would be the rematch as the Kings looked for the weekend sweep and it would be a much tighter affair this time. We we’re scoreless after the first but the Kings had some great chances as Oliver Auyeung-Ashton made two miraculous saves on Karter McNarland and Nic Porchetta while Kyle Metson stopped all 17 shots he faced in the period.
In the second the Kings would finally get the first goal when Will Jones unleashed a wrist shot from the high slot which hit the glove of Auyeung-Ashton and went into the back of the net as Jones scored his second of the season. The Grizzles would tie it at 13:51 off a faceoff when Reegan Hiscock put one past a diving Kyle Metson to tie it as we were all square after the two periods.
In the third would jump back in front at 8:27 when Max Potvin and Karter McNarland connected with Noah Eyre who shot it over a sprawling Auyeung-Ashton for his first in the BCHL to make it 2-1. With the lead in the third the Kings made sure the Grizzlies never had a good look to tie it and they shut it down defensively holding the Grizzlies to 6 shots in the third as the Kings would win 2-1.
Kyle Metson made 35 saves for his second straight win while the penalty kill stayed hot going 4 for 4.
With the two wins on the weekend the Kings now have a record of 6-11-1-2 and have won three straight at the Hap. The homestand continues with two more games this week, and it’s going to be a tough test for the Kings as they host two of the leagues best. First on Friday a familiar foe in the Coastal Conference leading Nanaimo Clippers at 7pm, then on Friday they host the reigning BCHL champs and so far undefeated Penticton Vees at 7pm.
Get your tickets at tickets.powellriverkings.com
Massullo Motors weekend Highlights – www.powellriverkings.com/highlights
