If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Through four games against the Cowichan Valley Capitals this season, two things had been constant for Powell River Kings. First, all four games had been played at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan and, second, the Kings had lost in each contest by a combined score of 21-9.
With two games on tap at the Hap Parker Arena in a weekend double header, the Kings were searching for a change in fortune and a move up to second spot in the Island Division standings.
On Friday night, the Kings got out to a stellar start, firing 11 shots on the Capitals goaltender before the visitors were able to take a shot of their own. Despite the Kings’ dominance, a power play tally by Jonny Evans at the 8:38 mark was the only goal of the first period.
In the second period, the Kings continued to pour on the pressure. Colton Sandberg notched his first goal of the season and Nick Halagian added his sixth late in the frame for a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes. Despite the lead and a 32-16 advantage in shots, the game was still in the balance against a Capitals team who are one of the higher scoring clubs in the BC Hockey League (BCHL).
It was the beginning of the third period, however, that turned the game firmly in Powell River’s favour. Cowichan came into the weekend as the league’s most penalized team, being shorthanded a total of 151 times in 26 games. Powell River, by comparison, had sent opposition to the power play 82 times in their 25 contests.
That lack of discipline shone through as Cowichan conceded a double minor for spearing and a major for fighting inside the opening five minutes of the third period. As a result, the Kings scored three power play goals by Jeremy LeClerc, Curtis McCarrick and Andy Stevens.
Goaltender Jeff Smith’s shutout bid was spoiled later in the third, but the 20-year-old goaltender still stopped 29 of 30 Cowichan shots for his 13th win of the season, guiding Powell River to their first win over Cowichan this season, a 6-1 final score.
“We weren’t happy with our first four games in Cowichan and coming back home the guys were pretty pumped to play them and it showed when we came out,” said Smith after the game. “I don’t think I had a shot until there was nine minutes left in the first period.”
Head coach Kent Lewis said he was pleased with the team’s play, especially their special teams, including a power play that went 4-6.
“Every game you need to win the special-teams battle and while I thought we were pretty disciplined, the penalty count ended up six a side,” said Lewis.
On Saturday, the two teams met in the second leg of the double header. Cowichan came out with a lot more life in the first period, despite dressing just 16 skaters, ultimately scoring the opening goal. Rylan Ball countered for the Kings in the first after he banked in a puck off the Capitals netminder from behind the goal line.
A scoreless second period was highlighted by a overturned Cowichan goal. As Smith attempted to cover up a puck, a Cowichan forward poked it in. After signalling a goal, the officials reversed it, which proved to be pivotal.
LeClerc scored early in the third and Kyle Betts added an empty netter to round out a 3-1 win and the weekend sweep.
Smith kicked aside 34 Cowichan shots to improve his record to 14-8.
“The night after a blowout, it’s always tight, and we prepared our guys for that,” said Lewis. “They came out hungry and ready and we had to try and make them frustrated by playing disciplined and playing the right way.”
Powell River Kings have now won four straight games dating back to November 21 against the Merritt Centennials, the team’s second longest streak of the season.
With a record of 16-10-0-1, Powell River now sits second in the Island Division. The team is two points back of Nanaimo Clippers with a game in hand, and one ahead of Cowichan, also with a game in hand.
Kings entertain Victoria Grizzlies at Hap Parker Arena this weekend. Powell River has failed to beat the Grizzlies in three previous match-ups this season.
“They’re a team that comes in here and doesn’t like to play us,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer. “It’s going to be an intense weekend. Any time you have a team in your building back to back, you need four points and I expect it to be a typical Powell River-Victoria game; fast-paced, chippy and the more disciplined team will generate chances and likely win the game.”
Game times are 7:15 pm on Saturday, December 5, and 2 pm on Sunday, December 6.
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