The Kings rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the third period to force overtime, but were unable to come away with the extra point as the Nanaimo Clippers prevailed in the series finale against the Kings by a 4-3 score in OT on Saturday night.
(Unfortunately, due to an error with the HockeyTV broadcast, video highlights are unavailable)
Following a pre-game ceremony to officially recognize Hunter Findlater’s 200th BCHL game (that took place in Nanaimo on January 13th), the Kings and Clippers renewed acquaintances for the final time this season.
A scoreless but largely entertaining first period saw the Clippers outshoot the Kings 12-7, however the best chance in the period went to Gavin Rauser on a shorthanded breakway where he was unable to beat the goaltender at the end of a shift.
The second period saw the game go through phases of chess match-like hockey, then end to end chances. It was the Clippers to take advantage as a two-line pass sprung Brady Lynn on a breakaway where he converted for his 12th of the year and a 1-0 advantage. Towards the end of the period, the Kings got it back as Carmine Buono floated a well-placed wrister from the left point that beat goaltender Taz Burman for his 6th of the year and a 1-1 game through 40. Shots 17 a piece.
Into the third and Nanaimo scoring twice in 42 seconds, both on breakaways as the Clippers found a weakness with the Kings down the middle. First, Lynn scoring his second…then on the next shift it was Preston Brodziak to get in behind for his 8th and a 3-1 advantage.
Cue the come back from the Kings. First off an Ethan Kimball faceoff win, Logan Cursley put a puck to net that got a piece of Ben Thomas on the way through for his 3rd of the year to make it 3-2. Under four minutes later the Kings found Ben Berard to tee up his 22nd of the season and a 3-3 hockey game. Shots 33-26 Nanaimo after 60.
Overtime came and the first real opportunity ended in the back of the net 3:24 in as Jordan Wharrie skated through the Kings zone and slid past Mitch Adamyk for his 3rd of the year and the Clippers first win in 9 games, a 4-3 score.
Here’s our Facebook Live postgame show with Kings coach Brock Sawyer:
https://www.facebook.com/powellriverkings/videos/1988012734547944/
Three Stars of the Game
1. Brady Lynn (Clippers) – 2 goals
2. Jordan Wharrie (Clippers) – 1 goal, OT game winner
3. David Melaragni (Clippers) – 2 assists
The Kings travel to Wenatchee midweek to play the Wild at 6:30pm on Wednesday night from the Town Toyota Centre, before returning home for a pair in Powell River hosting the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Puck drop is 7:15 and 5:00pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
