A long and windy road, over a 58-game schedule, has ended with Powell River Kings (37-15-3-3) facing long-time rival Nanaimo Clippers (27-28-1-2) in the first round of the playoffs.
A very promising start to the season placed the Kings as high as number two in the Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings before injuries ravaged the lineup and sometimes became a larger challenge than the opposition.
Despite the obstacles, they came through with shining colours and in the last weekend still had a chance to win the Island Division.
For that to happen Victoria Grizzlies, who were up by two points, had to lose at least one game of their last two against Cowichan Valley Capitals and the Kings needed to win against Nanaimo on Friday and then Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Saturday.
Heaven forbid a tie should happen as their records were so similar that a sixth tiebreaker was announced prior to the last game against Alberni.
A 3-2 Kings win over Nanaimo coupled with Cowichan’s 6-4 win over Victoria necessitated the update however the Bulldogs shut out the Kings 3-0 Saturday while Victoria eliminated Cowichan from the playoffs by winning 5-2.
In Nanaimo the Kings surrendered an early powerplay goal to the Clippers but rebounded on goals from Jarryd Leung and Luke Nogard.
Nanaimo evened the score 2-2 after two periods and just when it looked like overtime was going to be needed Drew Dorantes forced a turnover that was scooped up by Ryan Scarfo and fired in at 19:11.
Nanaimo started backup goalie Tanner Kovacs but starter Jason Argue came in in the second period to give fans a glimpse of the goaltending battle to come in the first round of the playoffs.
Kings, still alive for the island title, travelled to Alberni the next day to take on the Bulldogs who were fighting for their playoff lives.
Nerves were very apparent in the first period but neither could capitalize on several mistakes that turned into great scoring chances.
In the second, after a spirited fight between Kings’ Nogard and Quinton Wunder, Bulldogs finally got the break they were looking for when they opened the scoring at 1:07 on the powerplay.
Alberni held the 1-0 lead though the middle period and then added to it just 0:23 seconds into the third.
Kings mounted a comeback in terms of possession and chances but Alberni’s goaltender Connor Lacouvee was brilliant in earning his 40-save 3-0 shutout.
He represents one of the four goaltenders that has a chance to win or even steal a series in the island playoffs.
Lacouvee (GAA - goals against average 2.76) of the Bulldogs and the Victoria tandem of Nic Renyard (GAA 2.71) and Alec Dillon (2.76) will battle in one series while Nanaimo’s Argue (GAA 2.48) will face Kings’ duo Jeff Smith (2.25) and Jonah Imoo (2.98).
It looks as though the Kings, after rotating throughout the season, will go with the league’s top goaltender Smith during the playoffs.
“The key is we have two guys we know that can do it,” said coach and general manager Kent Lewis. “We’ve said it all along that we needed a guy who could carry the mail and down the stretch Jeff has been that guy. Jonah can also be that guy but right now Jeff’s numbers speak for themselves. We want depth in all the positions and we certainly have depth there.”
The series started Tuesday at Hap Parker Arena and continues Wednesday (tonight) at 6:30 pm.
Kings Scroll: Kings’ goalie Jeff Smith has been named BC Hockey League’s player of the week. The native of Maple Ridge made 86 saves on 91 shots over the three games and finished with a save percentage of 0.945 and a goals against average of 1.64.
Date Time Visitor Home Arena
PO Wed, Mar. 5 6:30P Nanaimo Powell River Hap Parker Arena
PO Fri, Mar. 7 TBA Powell River Nanaimo Frank Crane Arena
PO Sat, Mar. 8 TBA Powell River Nanaimo Frank Crane Arena
*If necessary
PO Mon, Mar. 10 TBA Nanaimo Powell River Hap Parker Arena
*If necessary
PO Tue, Mar. 11 TBA Powell River Nanaimo Frank Crane Arena
*If necessary
PO Wed, Mar. 12 TBA Nanaimo Powell River Hap Parker Arena
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)