Powell River Kings goaltender Brian Wilson shut the door on Cowichan Valley Capitals on Tuesday, March 7, helping his team take a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven BC Hockey League (BCHL) first-round series between the clubs. Kings are one win away from sweeping the Capitals en route to the second round.
Head coach Kent Lewis said his veteran netminder was strong while stopping 30 shots in what he described as a complete team effort.
“It’s good for the whole team,” said Lewis. “It’s good for the goalie, it’s good for the defence and the forwards.”
The shutout improves Wilson’s standing among the top BCHL playoff goalies to fourth spot, with a 1.67 goals-against average.
Tristan Mullin opened the scoring with his second goal of the playoffs. Curtis McCarrick and Cam Donaldson also scored for the second time in the series, while Gavin Rauser notched his first.
Lewis said a low goals-against average is an important statistic for his team. Powell River has an impressive eight-goal differential so far in the playoffs, scoring 13 against Cowichan and allowing only five. Another key area highlighted by the coach is the face-off circle.
“We spend a lot of time on them,” he said. “It’s not just the centre winning the draws. It’s a battle.”
Lewis said the power play needs to convert more to improve the team’s percentage, which is three goals from 13 chances over three games against the Capitals, a team prone to taking penalties.
“When you play a club that plays undisciplined, you have to make them pay for the penalty on the power play,” he said. “We need to do a better job on that.”
With a win on Wednesday, March 8, Kings can complete a sweep of the series and advance to round two against Victoria or Nanaimo. Game time is 7 pm at Island Savings Centre in Cowichan.
Victoria leads Nanaimo 2-1 in the other Island Division best-of-seven series.
Game five (if necessary) between the Kings and Capitals will be played in Cowichan on Thursday, March 9.
