Weekend Recap is presented by Iris Optometry.
The Kings were back in action this weekend, fresh off the All-Star break as they hosted the Nanaimo Clippers for two games.
Still looking for their first win of 2024 the Kings had a few new faces looking to help get a win with Kristians Samitis and Wyatt Davis making their debuts. It would be a difficult start for the Kings who found themselves trailing by two withing the first 10 minutes. Luke Buss scored at 1:27 then Esa Parekh scored at 7:32. Once down two the Kings would wake up and start putting the pressure on the Clips. After numerous chances the Kings would break through in the final minute. First with 58 seconds left Adam Mendelson found Anthony Yu in front who then one timed it in for his 13th, then 36 seconds later Anthony Lucarelli would tip in a Wyatt Davis shot to tie the game at 2 heading to the second.
Nanaimo wouldn’t take long to restore the lead in the second scoring 2:23 in when Gabriel Westling’s long shot hit the stick of Will Jones and went over Owen Crudale. Both teams would continue to search for more goals in the period by Owen Crudale and Chazz Nixon were solid keeping it 3-2 after two.
In the third it would be the Kings striking early when Thomas Belzil found Christian Maro behind the D who the barrelled to the net and got a backhander past Nixon for his 9th as the Kings tied the game up once again. However, the Clippers would get their lead back at 9:06 on a goal from Conner DeTurris off the rush to make it 4-3. The game would comedown to the final moments with the extra attacker out for the Kings but they couldn’t get the one they needed as the Clippers won 4-3.
Saturday would be the final game of the doubleheader and the Kings would change it up a bit giving new signing Vincent Lamberti his first BCHL start. With a new man in the crease the Kings were motivated to play well in front of him and they looked like a different team in the first dominating a top team in the Clippers. They would again have a number of chances but couldn’t capitalize. Eventually the Kings found themselves on a power play and after a failed clearing attempt Simone Dadiè would send a cross ice pass to Anthony Yu who hammered home the one timer for his 14th and most importantly to give his team the lead.
With a one goal difference things would even up in the second with the Clippers starting to create more opportunities but the Kings D and Lamberti stood tall. On the flip side the Kings looked to extend the lead but Tyler Hodges stopped all 16 shots he faced in the period to keep it 1-0 in the third.
It would be another tight knit affair in the third, the Kings would kill an early penalty and both teams couldn’t sustain any offensive pressure. Both teams would get a few good looks but both goaltenders were on top of their game. Just like the night before it would come down to the final moments but the roles were reversed. The Clippers desperately pushed for the equalizer with the goalie pulled but the Kings held them off for the 1-0 victory. Vincent Lamberti made 29 saves to earn his first BCHL shutout in his first start.
Overall on the weekend the Kings out shot the Clippers 63-57, went 1 for 5 on the power play and 5 for 5 on the penalty kill.
The win ended a 5 game slide and would be the first one of 2024. The Kings now have a record of 8-24-3-0 and still remain 9th in the Coastal Conference now 3 points behind 8th place Langley who the Kings play at home February 9th and 10th. Before that the Kings hit the road again next week as they head over to the Island to take on the Grizzlies Friday and then the Clippers once again for the final time this season on Saturday. Both games are at 7pm.
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