Following a 10-day Christmas break, Powell River Kings returned to action at Hap Parker Arena searching for form and a run at first place in Island Division standings.
To close out 2015, Kings entertained Alberni Valley Bulldogs December 30 and 31. The teams last played in early October, when Kings beat the Bulldogs 6-1 at home. Jonny Evans opened the scoring for Kings in the first game. Bulldogs tied it up in the second period, sending the contest to overtime. Rylan Ball scored early in overtime to give Kings a 2-1 win. Jeff Smith stopped 25 shots for his 17th victory of the season.
In game two, goals from Campbell River affiliate player Josh Coblenz, Rylan Ball, Carter Turnbull, Jeremey Leipsic and Gavin Rauser resulted in a 5-1 Kings win. Stefan Wornig’s 26-save performance earned the Kings goaltender his third win against Alberni this year and second via shutout.
“It was pretty special, it’s something that doesn’t happen a lot,” said Coblenz, reflecting on his first BCHL goal. “My line mates made a nice play, Andy [Stevens] had a great shot and it was easy as they come for me. It’s good to get the first one off my back.”
With new year’s day to rest, a larger challenge loomed early in 2016. Division leading Nanaimo Clippers visited Powell River for the second time this season, following a split in mid-September. Nanaimo features three of the league’s leading goal scorers, including Sheldon Rempal who entered action with 40 goals in 38 games.
Saturday’s contest lived up to the billing, as Nanaimo and Powell River battled ferociously for any advantage. An early first period Turnbull goal was negated by a Nanaimo tally later in the frame. Turnbull scored another in the second before Curtis McCarrick added insurance for a 3-1 win. Smith stopped 37 shots in the Kings third win against Nanaimo in four attempts.
Rempal and linemate Matt Hoover were held off the scoresheet for only the fourth time this season.
“When those types of players come in, as a defenceman you get pretty excited; it’s a big challenge,” said Nick Nonis who, along with Stevens was given the assignment of shutting down the top line. “Their skill guys have quick hands, they’re really tough to deal with if you give them time and space, and that was our focus, don’t give them that.”
Nick Halagian led a unit of Austin Kamer and Mitchell Hawes that played a lot of minutes against the top line and was happy with the level of frustration Kings were able to build on the Nanaimo bench.
“It’s my game, I love to be an agitator and get under guys skin,” said Halagian. “Points on the board are important, but if I can add the agitator aspect too, it makes it that much more fun.
Sunday’s game picked up where Saturday’s left off with a many stoppages, penalties and a first period that took over 45 minutes to complete.
Goals from eight different players propelled Powell River to an 8-4 win and a weekend sweep.
Kamer, Turnbull and McCarrick erased an early first period 2-0 deficit. Ball, Jack Long and Tristan Mullin put the game beyond reach in the second period, while Liam Lawson and Halagian added insurance in the third.
To punctuate the weekend, and display how frustrating the Kings were to play against, each of Nanaimo’s top three scorers were ejected during Sunday’s contest following verbal battles with officials.
“We’re really happy with the weekend and today, in particular being down two goals early,” said Kings coach Kent Lewis. “We just have to be consistent and have everybody understanding a role. The line of Halagian, Kamer and Hawes had a job and they went out and did it.”
With four wins, Kings closed the gap on first place Nanaimo to five points with a pair of games in hand. Kings sit three points up on third place Cowichan.
Powell River hits the road for six straight games beginning Friday, January 8, in Victoria, followed by visits to Nanaimo and Alberni Valley on Saturday and Sunday.
Kings notes:
Kings defenceman Rylan Ball was named BCHL Player of the Week on January 4. Ball had three goals and four assists in four games. Carter Turnbull received an honourable mention for a four-goal, two-assist stretch.
Shelley Phillips won the Powell River Kings Dream Lottery grand prize of $50,000, which was drawn during Sunday’s game. Bob Monahan collected $21,860 in the 50/50 draw. A full list of winners is available at powellriverkings.com.
