With six games remaining in its BC Hockey League schedule, it is mathematically unlikely, if not impossible, for Powell River Kings to catch Victoria Grizzlies in Island Division standings.
The second-place Kings have 67 points, six behind the Grizzlies, who also have two games in hand.
On the upside, the team is assured of home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs against the team that finishes in third place. At the moment, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo and Alberni Valley are in a dogfight for that spot. Only six points separate fifth place Alberni from Cowichan in third.
“We have some hungry playoff opponents right now that we’re playing, Alberni and Nanaimo, in three of our next four games, and we have to be ready,” said Kings head coach Kent Lewis.
The other opponent in the stretch of four straight games at home, including two against Nanaimo, is Victoria. Kings final two games take place on the road in Alberni and Cowichan.
At home last weekend, Powell River split two games with Cowichan. On Friday, February 3, Kings won 4-1, then dropped a 5-3 decision the next night.
After coming out of the weekend with a win and a loss, Lewis said he was not overly happy.
“We were sloppy and relied on the power play on Friday,” he said. “On Saturday, we got what we deserved. We didn’t play a full 60 minutes, which was apparent to all of our fans who braved the snow.”
In the loss, Lewis pulled his goaltender, something he has not done very often this season. Mitch Adamyk started and, after allowing four unanswered goals, was replaced by Brian Wilson.
“It was just to shake things up a little bit,” said Lewis. “We haven’t done that much this year. It did provide a spark. Brian came in and shut the door but the comeback fell short.”
Meanwhile, in Powell River Minor Hockey action, Powell River Midget Rep Kings will not advance to the provincial championships this year.
The team of players, aged 15, 16 and 17, needed to win games against Campbell River and Nanaimo last weekend to advance, but came away with one win and one loss, finishing second in the North Island division.
“For a small association and a short bench, we had a great season,” said coach Warren Behan. “It’s just frustrating we couldn’t carry that momentum forward into the playoffs, because we are better than the scoreboard showed in those games.”
UPDATE: Powell River (BCHL) Kings defeated Alberni Valley 9-0 on Tuesday, February 7, at Hap Parker Arena. The junior team returns to action Wednesday, February 8, against Victoria Grizzlies. Game time is 7 pm at Hap Parker Arena.
