Hunter Findlater’s 5th of the season wasn’t enough as the Kings fell by a 2-1 score in overtime at the Frank Crane Arena on Friday night.
A scoreless first period saw the Kings take an early advantage in a 5-1 in shots on goals thanks to a solid opening 5 minutes that involved a penalty kill just 36 seconds in, however Nanaimo pushed not long after using a couple of kills of their own to help hold serve in the first period. Kings led shots on goal 9-8 through 20.
Into the 2nd and much of the same as teams continued to feel each other out with emotion beginning to slowly creep into the game. The Kings went to the powerplay 3 times in the period but were unable to beat goaltender Taz Burman, and it wasn’t until Jordan Wharrie scored late in the frame that the deadlock was broken and the Clippers holding a 1-0 lead through 40. Kings outshot the Clippers 12-6 in the frame for a 21-14 advantage through 2.
Into the third and an ideal start from the Kings as Hunter Findlater scored his 5th of the season for a 1-1 scoreline. The Clippers would push late in the period with constant offensive zone pressure however Mitch Adamyk made several key stops to push the game into overtime. In the extra session, a rebound off Adamyk would get kicked out to the faceoff circle with a long range shot beating a stretched out goaltender for a 2-1 Nanaimo win and the Kings 2nd loss in overtime this season.
Final shots on goal were 36-30 Powell River, with Adamyk stopping 28 for the loss. The Kings record moves to 12-4-1-2 on the season and the team remains top of the Island Division.
Three Stars of the Game
1. Jake Harris (Nanaimo) – 1 goal, game winner
2. Jordan Wharrie (Nanaimo) – 1 goal, 1st in BCHL
3. Hunter Findlater (Kings) – 1 goal
The Kings continue their three game road trip on Saturday in Victoria against the Grizzlies. The game will be the third matchup of the regular season after teams split a pair of games in Powell River to open the season at the start of September. Game time from the Q Centre is 7:00pm.
