After a pair of weekend home games against Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Powell River Kings settled for two points and a series split. Kings won the opening game 5-4 on Friday, December 9, and lost 4-2 the following evening.
According to head coach Kent Lewis, in the loss, Kings were fantastic in the first period, closing out the initial 20 minutes with a 2-0 lead, but a terrible second period led to three unanswered Alberni goals. The home team was unable to recover in the final 20 minutes.
“We turned the puck over an excessive amount and it was an uncharacteristic game,” said Lewis. “We’ve had ugly games against them all year. We haven’t taken them seriously and haven’t had good games against them.”
Kings have won five of the six games against the Bulldogs so far this season.
Lewis said Alberni deserves credit for working hard to catch Nanaimo Clippers for fourth place in BC Hockey League (BCHL) Island Division standings. Bulldogs are currently in the basement of the division, four points back of the Clippers.
As a result of weekend results around the league, Kings fell to seven points behind first place Victoria Grizzlies but remain alone in second place, five points ahead of Cowichan Valley Capitals, with 43 points from 21 wins, 13 losses and one overtime loss.
On Friday, Kings forward Tristan Mullin scored a hat-trick, including the winner in the second overtime period.
“He put himself in a position to be an option for deflections and we had a huge penalty kill in overtime that led to an overtime goal,” said Lewis.
According to the coach, with key players Carter Turnbull and Kyle Betts playing for Canada West at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, Kings have played with a shortened bench, winning one and losing two in their absence. Several of the other players have been playing while sick.
“We’ve been hit pretty good with whatever virus has hit us and had a moment in the dressing room on Friday when, just before game time, [goaltender] Mitch Adamyk had an episode; it wasn’t pretty,” said Lewis. “We’ve been battling some things. We have to get healthy and get this bug through our club. It’s hit eight guys right now and I don’t know if it’s going to hit 21.”
In the league scoring race, Kings rookie Cam Donaldson is still in the BCHL’s top 10 and is tied with four other players in game-winning goals. With 42 points, Donaldson is well ahead in the rookie scoring derby. Starting goalie Brian Wilson also remains in the top 10 among netminders.
Lewis said the team has not quite stepped up to fill the lineup holes created by the absences of Turnbull and Betts. He was able to watch the pair in Canada West’s 6-2 win over Switzerland on Sunday, December 11.
“I wasn’t too impressed with Switzerland,” he said. “It wasn’t a very good club, so the level of competition there isn’t what it used to be.”
The coach said Turnbull and Betts would do well at the tournament and they have. Turnbull had an assist in the Switzerland game and against Russia on Monday, December 12, he played an exceptional game in a 5-3 loss. In the second period, he scored two goals, one shorthanded and the other on a power play, with Betts assisting on the latter.
Kings have been averaging below 700 fans per game at Hap Parker Arena, but the coach said the team has a loyal group of fans that can always grow.
”Do you want more fans? Certainly you do,” he said. “I know people who could make their way to the rink and support something that is very valuable to the community.”
Kings begin a road trip in South Surrey on Thursday, December 15. Games in West Kelowna and Wenatchee on Friday and Saturday complete the three-game trip. The next home game is Friday, December 30, against Nanaimo.
