It was an important game for different reasons on Tuesday night at the Hap.
After losing a couple of key players to the USHL prior to the season, Alberni Bulldogs are trying to overcome a miserable start and get in the playoffs while the Kings are building on their success of last weekend.
As you would expect both teams wanted to score the, all important, first goal so the pace set was a good one.
The Kings surprised everyone, though, when Kurt Keats picked up the puck off a draw in the Dog's end and flipped a shot off the bar that dropped to the ice behind LaCouvee at 5:41.
Both goalies were very sharp throughout the game and each had their fair share of great saves that frustrating shooters.
Luke Nogard was robbed by LaCouvee from the slot and not to be outdone Smith did the same to Henry for the Bulldogs a few minutes later.
Kings almost had the lead with 2:48 left in the period but the referee ruled that Nogard tipped in Jordan Burn's point shot with a high stick.
Leading 1-0 Kings got a scare in the second period when Scarfo missed his check hit the boards very hard. Perhaps the fact that he hit the Adams Concrete ad didn't help but after leaving the ice a little sore he came back to have a great game.
Late in the period Bulldogs were still working very hard to tie and they were swarming the Kings when they finally got the puck to Smith's right where Dylan Haugen slammed the puck in on the shortside at 16:14.
Just a hardworking greasy goal that seemed to be the only kind either goaltender was going to let in in this game.
Neither of the two buckled in the third but the Bulldogs came close with a rolling puck just inches from crossing the goalline early.
Each team had a couple of powerplay chances in the third as well but in this game both sides came up empty with the man advantage.
Into overtime we go where Nogard once again faced Lacouvee, and after he raced down the left wing, he fired a shot on the goalie which was saved and when the rebound came back to him he couldn't get good wood on the shot.
King's Luke Ripley also had a clear shot from the point but his high wrist shot was blocked by Keats, with his head, and he left for a change with his visor still lying on the ice. Luckily no damage done to the game's first star.
Second overtime was the most exciting 15 seconds in the game.
If you blinked or were late getting back to your seat you missed Luke Nogard winning the draw back to Kyle Chatham who, as he crossed centre ice on the left wing, took advantage of the open ice in front of him.
For some reason the Bulldogs chose to worry about Keats and Dorantes so Chatham took the puck deep and then passed to Dorantes down low and he tipped it just enough to go in between Lacouvee's pads.
Kings celebrated wildly while the disappointed Bulldogs left the ice immediately to board the bus and make the long trip back to Alberni.
The single point gives them one more than Cowichan but the Caps have a game in hand.
Kings sit two points behind Victoria heading into the last weekend with two games left on the schedule
Kings play Nanaimo Friday and Alberni Valley Saturday to wrap up their season while Victoria has two against the Capitals.
Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Kurt Keats
2. Jeff Smith
3. Connor Lacouvee
