After winning the first two games of a best-of-seven BC Hockey League Island Division first-round playoff series against Cowichan Valley Capitals, Powell River Kings head coach Kent Lewis said he saw bits and pieces that he liked from his team’s performance.
Lewis said his team still needs to be hungrier, execute better “and rely on the fact that we have been one of the more disciplined teams in the league.”
Kings took both games at Hap Parker Arena on Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, to take a 2-0 series lead going into Cowichan for games three, four and five (if necessary) starting Tuesday, March 7.
After taking a 4-1 lead, Kings let the Capitals back into Friday’s game, but bore down and regained control to hold on for a 4-2 win.
On the strength of what is quickly becoming known as the Kings’ “kid line,” featuring Jonny Evans and rookies Cam Donaldson and Ben Berard, the team jumped into a lead after Evans started the series with a natural hat-trick.
“A natural hat-trick in game one,” said Lewis. “A natural hat-trick in any game is cool.”
Evans had a eventful couple of days, according to the coach, as he committed to a full scholarship at University of Connecticut for 2018-2019. Evans will join Kyle Betts, Tristan Mullin and Donaldson at the same university.
“Jonny is pretty wired up right now,” said Lewis.
Kings won Saturday’s game 4-3. En route to 3-0 lead, veteran Curtis McCarrick scored the opening goal, assisted by Liam Lawson and Gavin Rauser.
“That line can do a lot of good things,” said Lewis. “That was a result of good zone time and good puck possession.”
Mullin’s play in the opening game earned him player of the game honours. Over the two games, he had a goal and two assists.
“That fourth goal was a great breakout,” said Lewis about Mullin’s game-winning goal in game two, assisted by Carter Turnbull and Kyle Betts. “That’s something we have to do, get out of our zone quicker.”
Berard was named the player of the game for game two.
Veteran Brian Wilson started both games in goal for the Kings and faced only 15 shots in game one, compared to 38 shots the Kings fired at the Capitals’ goaltender. Shots were virtually even on Saturday, favouring the Capitals 32-31; Wilson made 29 saves.
“When it got to 4-3 we shut them down and didn’t really give them much,” said Lewis.
If the series continues past game five, games six and seven will be played in Powell River on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12.
Due to the schedule, Kings will lose revenue of one gate if the series ends after five games.
“This should not have been a two-three-two format,” said Lewis, “but it is. We cannot cite travel because the travel is not hard. This is a loophole. It needs to be fixed.”
