Carter Turnbull broke a 2-2 deadlock with just 89 seconds left in the game to send the Kings ahead and to ultimately win game five of the Island Division Semi Final series against the Nanaimo Clippers, by a 3-2 score on Thursday night.
A slow first period for the Kings as it was the Clippers to take an early advantage. En route to out shooting the Kings by a 10-5 margin in the first period, the Clippers also got the game’s first goal on a late period powerplay through David Melaragni and it was 1-0 Nanaimo.
The second was much better for the Kings and they got away to a dream start in the middle frame as Ben Berard scored on the period’s opening shift with Ben Berard cashing in for his 4th of the season and it was 1-1. Nanaimo got the lead back mid way through the frame as Tristan Crozier sent Nanaimo ahead, again on the powerplay, and the Clippers led 2-1.
The Kings got that back six minutes later as a powerplay expired, Carter Turnbull fired wide of the goal, with Kevin Obssuth collected an end-wall rebound and tucked it home on the near post for his 2nd of the playoffs and the game was tied at 2 through 40, with the Kings still being outshot 22-19.
The final frame was tightly contested with both teams having some great chances. Nanaimo had the lions share, with Matteo Paler-Chow making some game saving saves in net. The game looked destined to head to overtime however Carter Turnbull had other ideas as he rushed down the right wing, wrapping in behind the net and tucking past Taz Burman for his 2nd of the playoffs and a 3-2 lead that held up through 60.
Matteo Paler-Chow earns his second BCHL playoff win, a 30 save performance. Here’s what Brock Sawyer had to say in the post game show:
The Kings return home to play game 6 of the Island Division Semi Final series against the Clippers, a 7:00pm puck drop at the Hap. A win will advance the Kings to the 2nd round against the winner of the Victoria/Alberni Valley series.
