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Kings face rematch with Grizzlies

Carter Turnbull’s three game-winning goals lead Powell River past Nanaimo into second round against Victoria
Matteo Paler-Chow
SERIES CLINCHER: Powell River Kings’ goaltender Matteo Paler-Chow makes one of his 30 saves in game six of his team’s BC Hockey League series against Nanaimo Clippers. Kings skated to a 6-4 win and won the series 4-2. Alicia Baas photo

Powell River Kings are through to the second round of BC Hockey League playoffs after turning aside Nanaimo Clippers in six games. A 6-4 win on Saturday, March 10, at Hap Parker Arena earned the Kings a spot in the Island Division final against Victoria Grizzlies.

The chance to eliminate Nanaimo started with a pivotal game five win in Nanaimo on March 8. After falling behind 1-0, Ben Berard and Kevin Obssuth scored second-period goals and the game was tied at two heading into period three.

Late in the third, Carter Turnbull scored the eventual game winner on a wraparound to give the Kings a 3-2 win.

“It was bound to happen; we were getting lots of chances and it was just a matter of time before one went in the net,” said Turnbull. “We’ve been playing a fast game all series and noticed their defence getting tired so the opportunity was there and it came off.”

On Saturday, the series shifted to Powell River, where the Kings had won just twice in six regular season and playoff games against the Clippers this season. The home team dominated the opening stages, but Nanaimo scored first and led 1-0 through 20 minutes.

The game came alive in second period with six goals scored. Berard’s tally early in the period tied the game before Nanaimo came back with a pair of goals 28 seconds apart. Turnbull then scored his second in as many games on a delayed penalty to pull the Kings within one.

Nanaimo extended their lead to 4-2, however, a huge momentum swing resulted from Kings’ goaltender Matteo Paler-Chow stopping a partial breakaway and kicking the rebound to Mitch Williams, who skated back the other way and scored to pull the home team within one.

From there, it was all Powell River. Gavin Rauser scored the game-tying goal on a scramble around the Nanaimo net early in the third period. For the remainder of the game, Nanaimo pushed but Powell River had the bulk of the chances.

The Clippers’ dam finally broke three minutes from the end of regulation when Turnbull scored from the goal line with a perfectly placed shot over the shoulder of the Nanaimo goaltender to put the Kings ahead for the first time.

Williams added an empty-net goal with 30 seconds remaining and Paler-Chow stopped 30 shots to earn the win.

“Being able to get that insurance at the end of the game was such a relief,” said Williams. “All game we kept things positive, stay fired up and kept lots of energy. Today was one of our best games for bench energy and it paid off.”

Kings will take on the Grizzlies in the Island Division final for the second straight year. Victoria eliminated Powell River last season in overtime of game seven, and was taken to seven games in round one this year by Alberni Valley, who squandered a 3-0 series lead.

“Once Alberni got up three, we all said it’s just a matter of time before Victoria got back into the series,” said interim head coach Brock Sawyer. “Kudos to them for taking it to game seven and winning on Sunday; we’re excited to get the next series going.”

Victoria won five of the eight games between the two teams this season. The series will begin in Victoria on Friday, March 16, before moving back to Powell River for games three and four on Monday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20.