It wasn’t pretty, but the Kings managaed to squeeze out a 5-4 win over a cagey Surrey Eagles team on Friday night in South Surrey
- At the end of the day two points is two points, but that’s hardly how you draw it up. Three two goal leads fell by the wayside as the Kings led 2-0, 3-1 and 5-3.
The Kings were very good off the hop, their best start since the first leg of the home series against Nanaimo. The first five minutes of the first the Kings had the better jump and the bulk of the chances. It started to slip a little in the latter stages with Surrey getting their legs underneath them to get into the period.
Good movement by the Kings on the powerplay goal and some crisp passing. Feet and puck kept moving throughout and there was never a moment when things were at a standstill. A give and go between Kamer and Mullin set up Kamer on a 45-degree to the net and he made no mistake.
Things started to get a little messy late in the 1st with the Kings falling back into some bad habits resulting in things like turning pucks over at the blue line, failed outs and soft passing. 1-0 through 20.
Into the 2nd and Brubacher shows why the Kings were so high on acquiring him at the deadline, with a blast from the left point. His 1st as a King and 14th of the season comes 18 seconds in and the Kings had their first 2-goal lead.
Credit Surrey. They were cagey and stayed in the game. 3 goals in 1:02 (2 for Surrey, one for Mullin) showed what I said in the pre-game show that Surrey can score, but also get scored on. A 3-2 lead with Mullin’s go ahead standing up through 40.
Into the 3rd and more of the problems that have plagued the Kings over the last few games reared their head. The Eagles tied it up as the Kings struggled to play with the lead. But a bit of a lucky one when Jeremy LeClerc banked a shot off Jonny Evans’ and in the back of the net gave the Kings the lead. Nick Halagian added a shortie not long after and another 2-goal lead was established.
Nice work by Halagian on the eventual game winner, doing it at both ends of the ice. Blocked a pass, beat the d-man at the blue line and then hussled in on goal. Credit Andy Stevens as well for running the distraction beautifully. Nice to see Halagian get one upstairs and underneath the cross bar.
Again Surrey stick around. Getting a 4-minute powerplay with 4:27 remaining courtesy a high stick and it was a 1-goal game. De ja vous from last year with the Kings up by a goal with a minute remaining, but the Kings hold on.
Stefan Wornig’s first win against a team not from Alberni Valley..a 29 save performance and his 4th win overall this season.
I thought Brandon Kennedy was very good early. Maybe suffered a little in the conditioning department as the game went on, and lacked some preparation. No fault of his own, he’s skated once with his new team and driven cross country. Early he was very good, had the games first real good scoring chance on the opening shift, skated well and moved the puck well too. The confidence and communication will come with time.
Here’s what Brock Sawyer had to say in the post-game show
Three Stars of the Game
- Tristan Mullin (Kings) – 1 goal, 1 assist
- Jeffery Kennedy (Eagles) – 1 goal
- Brett Kennedy (Eagles) – 1 goal
The Kings continue their 3-game in 3 day road trip with a visit to the SOEC in Penticton to take on the Vees, a 6:00pm start on Saturday night.
