Powell River Kings sprinted out of the weekend gate to shut out Langley Rivermen 7-0 on Thursday at Hap Parker Arena, then departed the next day for a couple of games against two more mainland rivals.
Despite a strong showing in Surrey, where they downed the Eagles 3-1 on Friday, they took their foot off the pedal in a disappointing 4-1 loss to Coquitlam Express.
Kings felt like they had something to prove in the second half of the schedule and playing Langley, a team they had already shut out three times this year, would be a big confidence booster.
Cohen Adair scored the winning goal at 4:13 of the first period with insurance goals added by Matt Scarth, Captain Chris Williams, Brandan Smith with his first of the year, Carter Shinkaruk, Jon Jutzi and Teagan Waugh over the next two periods.
Jamie Phillips collected his league-leading fifth shutout, when he stopped all 19 shots directed his way.
Williams, who returned to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension, explained his team’s offensive surge. “When you play the right way the bounces go your way,” he said. “When you play the wrong way you don’t get the bounces and you don’t get the breaks. So, if you keep your game simple,” he continued, “listen to what your coaches say, follow the game plan and play the right way, you get bounces. It’s as simple as that.”
Sometimes lopsided scores present a problem and the Kings saw it with the 5-1 win against Alberni Valley Bulldogs and again in the late stages of the game against Langley.
Chippy play with potential serious injury was avoided but with the Rivermen and Bulldogs probably out of the playoffs and the game, some individuals were definitely on the ice to inflict damage.
Fortunately, the Kings escaped unscathed and remained focused to put in another strong 60 minutes against Surrey Eagles.
Steven Schmidt scored the all-important first goal at 3:23 but Surrey promptly answered at 5:06 to tie 1-1 after one period.
Evan Richardson put the Kings back on top just 15 seconds into the second period when he stole the puck and beat the goalie on a nice backhand deke and his team protected the 2-1 lead until Adair iced it at 7:17 of the final period to make the win 3-1.
Sean Maguire was very sharp stopping 30 of 31 shots for the win, earned the game’s first star and it looked like the Kings were in very good shape going into Coquitlam.
In Coach and General Manager Kent Lewis’s pregame interview he reported that the Kings had a very nice laid back, almost lazy day.
Add to the stress-free atmosphere the news that Coquitlam’s captain and leading scorer, Alex Petan, would miss the game due to injury and Kings should have been pumped about taking care of an important four points.
Coquitlam, however, scored two powerplay goals and added two more on equal strength to build a 4-0 lead and hold on for the 4-1 win.
Kings were uninterested in the first two periods of the game but had they played them like they did the third, Scarth’s goal at 17:43 might have been more meaningful.
Despite the disappointing loss, Kings did collect four out of six points and have played their last game on the Lower Mainland where they have struggled.
The remainder of January’s schedule gives them an opportunity to make a move in the conference with just two on the road in Victoria and Alberni Valley and five in the friendly confines of Hap Parker Arena.
Williams, however, says the drill is only to look at the next game. “There’s no point in looking at the standings because they change every day,” he said. “You just focus on the game that’s in front of you and that’s all you can do.”
At 7:30 pm, Friday, January 13, Kings play Surrey, who sit right in front of them in the Coastal Conference standings, at Hap Parker Arena. Then, on Saturday, January 14, it’s over to Alberni to face the Bulldogs and on Sunday, the Kings play a matinee game at Bear Mountain Arena against Victoria Grizzlies.
Kings Scroll
Midway through the season, forward Shinkaruk has been traded to Merritt Centennials. The 20-year-old from Langley, in his third year with the Kings, has scored eight goals this season and had five assists.
Joining the team is former captain of conference-leading Cowichan Valley Capitals, Brendan MacDonald.
