Matteo Paler-Chow stopped all 20 Coquitlam shots, Carter Turnbull scored a pair of goals for the 2nd straight game as the Kings shutout the Coquitlam Express on Sunday afternoon at the Hap Parker Arena.
After conceding 23 seconds in on Friday vs Prince George, it was Powell River to get off to a flying start. 1:12 in and Carter Turnbull scored his third of the weekend as he kept a puck in at the left point, threw a puck on net and a screened goaltender only saw it when it was in the back of the net. Turnbull’s team-leading 9th of the season and a 1-0 Kings lead. 1:05 later, the Kings doubled the lead when Mitch Williams looped the top of the offensive zone and took advantage of a defensive lapse for his 3rd of the season and a 2-0 advantage.
Midway through the period and the Kings went to the powerplay. Again, it was Turnbull to generate, this time skating to the left of the net, drawing the goaltender out only to flick it back into the high slot for Nathan Kelly to fire home his 2nd of the year and a 3-0 advantage. The Kings made it 4-0 late in the first period as Josh Coblenz batted home a rebound for a comprehensive lead through 20 minutes. Kings led shots on goal 17-5.
Into the 2nd period and a solid dose of perspective hit both teams. With about six minutes remaining, Hunter Findlater came in contact with Express defenceman Jordan Schulting in front of the Kings bench. The contact resulted in Schulting hitting the dasher boards of the bench and falling to the ice. Schulting convulsed on the ice and was quickly tended to by training staff from both teams. Schulting was eventually able to stand with assistance and was loaded onto an ambulance gurney for transport to Powell River hospital. The incident drew silence over the Hap Parker Arena as both teams headed to their respective rooms to await the resumption of play.
After a long delay and an early intermission, teams resumed to complete the final 5:58 of the second period. Shortly after the break, Gavin Rauser scored shorthanded on a 2-on-1 rush with Carter Turnbull for his 5th of the year and a 5-0 advantage. Shots in the 2nd were 13-7 Powell River, two period totals at 30-12.
The third period saw both teams come out strong with the Express trying to salvage something from the game, however the Kings held strong. Two late goals, first to Trent Bell at 15:29, then Turnbull completing a 4-goal weekend at 16:24 made it 7-0. Despite a late 5-on-3 powerplay for the Express, the Kings shut the door as Matteo Paler-Chow recorded his first shutout of his BCHL career and the Kings first clean sheet of the season by a 7-0 score. Final shots on goal were 45-20 Powell River.
Three Stars of the Game
1. Carter Turnbull (Kings) – 2 goals, 2 assists
2. Andy Stevens (Kings) – 2 assists
3. Matteo Paler-Chow (Kings) – 20 saves, 1st shutout
The Kings continue a four game home stand with a double header next weekend against the Nanaimo Clippers. Game times are 7:15pm Friday and 5:00pm Saturday at the Hap Parker Arena.
