The Powell River Kings used a three goal second period, including a pair coming 48 seconds a part to help propel them to a 4-1 win on Friday night against the Nanaimo Clippers, to take a 1-0 series lead.
An entertaining first period saw chances for both teams, however no goals. The fast-moving period was more of a feeling out and a ‘testing the waters’ 20 minutes, with some chances both ways and the Clippers outshooting the Kings 9-6.
Into the 2nd and the Kings began to come alive, thanks to a powerplay that carried over from the opening period. The Kings began to get some momentum and eventually broke the deadline midway through the period as Andy Stevens made a nice move at the blue line to open up a chance to Neal Samanski to bury, his 1st of the playoffs and a 1-0 advantage. 48 seconds later, the Kings doubled the lead off an offensive zone draw as Carter Turnbull got a puck from a Neal Samanski faceoff win, firing it from inside the left circle for a 2-0 lead.
The Kings continued to control much of the game, and a rush down the left wing got the Kings out to a 3-0 lead. Kevin Obssuth centred to Josh Coblenz to tip it on goal for his 1st and some insurance. The Kings outshot the Clippers 20-14 in the period and led 26-23 after 40.
A dream start for the Kings as they got a bouncing puck to go in past Taz Burman on a floater to net, Kevin Obssuth getting credit and it was 4-0. Nanaimo got one back midway through the period as David Silye beat goaltender Derek Krall but that’s as close as they got as the Kings closed out the game in the third despite some penalty trouble to win 4-1. Derek Krall picked up his 1st BCHL playoff win, stopping 31 shots.
Here’s Kings interim Head Coach Brock Sawyer in the post game show:
https://www.facebook.com/powellriverkings/videos/2026766260672591/
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Carter Turnbull (Kings) – 1 goal, game winning goal
2. Kevin Obssuth (Kings) – 1 goal, 2 assists
3. David Silye (Clippers) – 1 goal
The Kings take a 1-0 lead in the best of seven Island Division semi-final series. Game 2 goes Saturday night at the Frank Crane Arena, a 7:00pm start.
