832 fans were treated to a sumptuous pre-game meal sponsored by Dominion Lending and Priority One and dessert was served later by the Kings with a 5-2 win over Cowichan.
As usual introductions and ceremony are brief so that fans can get to the action on the ice.
Many of the names were new to the fans but judging by the cheers and applause most fans were very pleased with what they saw.
JJ Coleshaw got the Kings off on the right foot in the first period when he and Nogard got some pressure behind the Caps net and then Coleshaw got loose and wrapped the puck in at 5:43.
Capitals evened it 1-1 at 11:49 on the powerplay from Haynes, his fourth goal in two nights.
Kings' Stephen Hiff made it 2-1 on a nice centering pass from Matt Scarth at 4:48 and then Luke Nogard converted a great pass at 8:52 on the powerplay.
Bradley Parker was the last of the three linemates to hit the scoresheet and he did it at 12:07 of the second period when he tipped a puck high to make it 4-1.
Cowichan's second goal was perhaps one that Jonah Imoo would love to do-over. He got crossed up behind the net and stripped of the puck that came out front and was deposited by Nicholson at 5:07.
Things got a little testy later in the period and a frustrated Steen Cooper threw his knee at Matt Scarth. He was given a major penalty and game misconduct – a tough situation for the Caps that was made even tougher when they received a minor penalty and ejection of a coach.
Kings' Jarryd Leung, after a flurry of shots and crashing bodies, got to a loose puck and took his time to lift the puck in at 12:28.
From there the game calmed down somewhat and the Kings had their first home win of the season.
Third star of the game Parker said, "I think througout the whole game we just stuck to the game plan and I think all the guys did a great job tonight."
"That's the way we have to play night in – night out," he said, "to bear down every single shift, every single period."
This team is a work in progress and they continue to improve with every week of practice and every game.
"We've got a lot of new guys from all over – Ontario, Saskatchewan, Parker said, "and tonight we just kind of all meshed together."
"This last week we worked really hard in practice and we're starting to figure everything out."
Just one game but it's always nice to get a win in your opener.
Tomorrow the two teams get to do it all over again at 1:30 at the Hap.
Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. JJ Coleshaw
2. Luke Nogard
3. Bradley Parker
