The powerplay scored a season-high three goals on six attempts as the Kings got back into the win column through a 5-2 victory over the Cowichan Capitals on Friday night in Duncan.
A great opening shift for the Kings who took the game to Cowichan early, however it was the home team to open the scoring through Paul Selleck, midway through the period for a 1-0 Capitals lead. That score held through the remainder of the first period as the Kings sent Cowichan to the powerplay twice, but were able to extend their streak of consecutive penalties killed to 28 through the last seven games.
The second period saw an even contest begin to sway in favour of Powell River as the Capitals disciplined play gave way to a run to the penalty box. The Kings cashed in on their first powerplay as Neal Samanski let a shot go from the left circle that found a Levi Glasman deflection for his first as a King and 4th of the season. 4:30 later, the Kings would go to another powerplay and convert once more, again through Glasman after he was able to slide a rebound past Jack Grant for his 2nd of the game and a 2-1 Kings lead. Two minutes later, on a third powerplay, the Kings would extend the lead as Ryan Brushett scored the eventual game winner with a brief pump fake and then shot through traffic to find the back of the net, his 13th and a 3-1 Kings lead through 40.
The Kings would tack on two more in the third period. Ryan Brushett added his team-leading 14th of the season on a great forecheck from Brushett and Glasman, forcing a turnover and Brushett making a nice move to net. Then finally, a 5-1 lead through an end-to-end individual effort from Ethan Schmunk for his 3rd in the BCHL.
Cowichan added one with 6 and a half minutes remaining to pull the lead within 3, but the Kings held off an increasingly physical Cowichan team as the game simmered through the third period. Christian Buono and Josh Coblenz both saw their nights done early through penalties late in the game, while Jayden Lee and Liam Lytton left due to injury following hits and the Kings ran away 5-2 winners. Mitch Adamyk picks up his 9th win of the season with a 31 save performance.
The Kings continue a weekend road trip in Port Alberni on Saturday night, the season’s first game against the Bulldogs. Puck drop at 7:00pm from Weyerhauser Arena.
