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Powell River Kings advance to second round of playoffs with series sweep

Forward Jonny Evans scores overtime winner in game four
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FINAL SHAKE: Powell River Kings and Cowichan Valley Capitals exchange pleasantries after Kings swept their opponent in four straight BC Hockey League playoff games. The green and gold now play Victoria for the division title. Craig Beauchemin photo

Powell River Kings advanced to the BC Hockey League (BCHL) Island Division final with a come-from-behind overtime win over Cowichan Valley Capitals in game four of a first-round playoff series on Wednesday, March 8. With the win, the team advances to the seven-game division championship series against Victoria Grizzlies.

Against Cowichan, forward Jonny Evans’ overtime winner in game four sealed a 4-3 victory and a sweep of the best-of-seven series.

After the first 20 minutes of play resulted in no scoring, Capitals scored twice in the first two minutes of the second period. Kings began the comeback three minutes later when rookie Ben Berard cut the lead to 2-1 with a goal set up by defender Carmine Buono.

In the third period, goals by Tristan Mullin, his third of the playoffs, and Carter Turnbull with his second, gave Powell River a 3-2 lead before Cowichan responded to tie the game and force overtime.

Evans scored the winner on a power play 1:49 into the extra session. Buono, who joined the Kings after Christmas to shore up the blueline, was named first star of the game. He was originally credited for the game-winner.

Head coach Kent Lewis said his team did not have a great start, but kept its focus in fighting back and showed the discipline he has been drilling into his players all season.

“They showed a lot of character,” said Lewis. “[Cowichan] came out desperate. We came out like we had nine lives to live. We were behind the eight ball, fought our way back and stayed disciplined. They didn’t and that’s what cost them.”

Lewis said the series win was a solid group effort and  he hesitated to single out any of his players as standouts, but indicated that goaltender Brian Wilson was solid. Wilson made 30 stops in the fourth and final game and allowed only eight goals in the series. His 1.98 goals-against average is among the top BCHL playoff goaltenders.

“I really liked our game-three effort; it was a solid 60 minutes,” said Lewis. “Tonight wasn’t, but it was a good gut-check to get the win.”

Mullin had a strong series against the Capitals. The veteran forward, playing in his final year of junior eligibility, currently has a three-game scoring streak, with three goals and two assists over that span.

Evans produced five points in the series, followed by Cam Donaldson, Turnbull and Buono, all with four points each.

The Kings now play for the Island Division championship against the Grizzlies beginning Friday, March 17, in Victoria.

The second game is in Victoria on Saturday, March 18. The teams play at Hap Parker Arena in Powell River Monday, March 20, at 7:15 pm and Tuesday, March 21, at 7:30 pm. If necessary, game six will also be a home game for the Kings on Saturday, March 25, at 5 pm.

It was the Grizzlies’ consistent play at the beginning of the season that gave the team first place in the regular season and home-ice advantage in the seven-game series, according to Lewis.

“I’m looking forward to the series,” he said. “This is a club that comes in as the top seed with home ice and we’re going to have to work real hard to take that away.”

Kings won five of its seven meetings with the Grizzlies in the regular season, including four of the last five meetings.

Finishing the Cowichan series in four games has given the Kings time to rest, heal some bumps and bruises, and allow for practice before the next round against Victoria, said Lewis.

The team will have had eight days rest after finishing the Cowichan series in a quick manner. Grizzlies will have six days rest after finishing off Nanaimo in five games.

“Bottom line is, if you ask any coach, they’ll take the rest over playing any day,” said Lewis. “You don’t run risk of injury or suspension.”

Lewis said he expects goaltending to be a big part of the next series. Grizzlies have the number-one goalie in the playoffs in Matthew Galajda, who has a 1.80 goals-against average. Kings’ Brian Wilson is just behind, with a 1.98 average.

Kings also have Mitch Adamyk who Lewis can go to, but Wilson handled the bulk of the work against Victoria during the season and started all four games against Cowichan.

“They’re going to rely on one guy,” said Lewis. “We’re going to be able to rely on two, and we’re just going day-by-day with our goaltending right now.”