Powell River Kings hosted Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday, January 31, for the first of two weekend games against the BC Hockey League Island Division leaders.
Nolan Krogfoss opened the scoring at 17:06 of the first period by directing a shot, right off an offensive zone faceoff, over the shoulder of Capitals’ Zach Borgiel. Just over two minutes later, Ethan Schmunk tapped in a rebound on a power play with 24 seconds remaining in the period for a 2-0 lead.
Kings dominated the second period, scoring five times and chasing Borgiel from the game; he was replaced by Ben Howard after giving up a fourth goal, this time to Reilly Moran, just three minutes after Brett Roloson scored his 18th of the season on another power play.
Michael Abgrall, Ben Wozney and Jacob Badal rounded out the scoring in the 7-0 win before the teams headed to the dressing room for the second intermission.
Cowichan pressed to get on the scoreboard in the third period, outshooting the Kings 14-6, but were unable to solve goaltender Derek Krall, who earned the shutout with 37 saves overall. Powell River was credited with 38 shots in the game.
Krall was named the game’s first star, followed by Moran (second), who also picked up an assist, and defender Jack Long (third), who set up two goals.
Attendance was 793.
The two teams meet again tonight, Saturday, February 1, at Hap Parker Arena. Game time is 5 pm.
Cowichan leads the division with 69 points, five ahead of Nanaimo and 14 ahead of third place Powell River. Alberni Valley is fourth with 51 points, followed by Victoria in fifth with 39.
