Overtime Stumps Kings Again, Fall to Grizzlies 4-3

For the 9th time this season, the Kings found themselves in the extra frame. For the 9th time this season, the team was unable to pull out a victory, and for the 7th time this season, the Kings were on the wrong side of the decision, this time a 4-3 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies in double overtime.

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Here are some thoughts from the game:

The first period was odd. Nothing really happened. The Kings had the better of the chances, but there were two at best. 11 shots split between the two teams in 20 minutes of hockey. At points I was a little lost on what to say in the stoppages. I think that was a good thing for the Kings though, it was a controlled first period from both teams.
The 2nd opened up. Chances both ways, scrambley in the neutral zone, not pretty by any stretch.
Good on Drew Dorantes. Again steps up and does the little things right, then gets rewarded with a goal. Strips Rouleau of the puck and slides it home. Sure beats peeling off of a forecheck, which we’ve seen too many times from a variety of players this year.
To follow that up, the short handed tally from Villeneuve was hard work too. Both JP and Drew were around it, the goal call was Dorantes, however that will get changes to Villeneuve once the BCHL website gets up and running.
After the 2-0 goal, the game picked up big time. Pace, chances, everything. The Grizzlies cancelled out the Kings lead by again scoring late in a period. How many goals have the Kings surrendered inside the final minute of a period? I’ll do the research tomorrow, but it’s cost them points. This one 1:04 from time in the 2nd, a pretty goal from Myles Fitzgerald, who was by far the best player on the ice.
3rd period generated chances again both sides. I really thought Nogard’s tally would be enough, but again the Grizzlies countered. The only goal of the night Myles Fitzgerald wasn’t in on was on the powerplay. In the last 2 games against the Kings, Myles Fitzgerald has 2 goals and 5 assists.
Kings record in overtime falls to 0-7-2 (7 losses, 2 ties). That’s 2nd behind only West Kelowna for most overtime losses this season. It was the 4th time the Kings had gotten to double overtime, where they had 1 loss and two ties.
Just the 2nd game the team has lost when leading by 2 goals at any point during a game. 16-0-0-2 now when carrying a lead of 2 goals at any point.
I don’t think we mentioned goaltending at all on the broadcast. Neither Brady Rouleau or Jonah Imoo were asked to make ‘spectacular’ saves. Both stopped most of what they should have stopped. Both quietly went about their businesses. Rouleau had the more difficult of the chances, but neither ‘stood out’ as impacts on the game. That’s a compliment…I like it when goalies just quietly go about their business.

Here’s audio from our post game show chat with Derek Bachynski:

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Three Stars of the Game