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Powell River Kings split pair of games at home

Three players chosen for Canada West selection camps
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CAMP PICKS: Powell River Kings forward Carter Turnbull [pictured], Andy Stevens and Kyle Betts have been invited to the December selection camps ahead of the World Junior A Championships. The trio are among 60 players who have received invitations. Alicia Baas photo

Despite outshooting the Cowichan Capitals 50-25 on Friday, November 25, at Hap Parker Arena, the Powell River Kings lost 6-4, splitting a home and home series with the Vancouver Island team.

“To be brutally honest, our goaltending wasn’t there on Friday,” said head coach Kent Lewis.

Goalie Brian Wilson started the game but was replaced in the second period by Mitch Adamyk.

“They’ve been consistent to this point,” said Lewis. “They owned up to it. They knew it. We all knew it. It happens in hockey.”

According to Lewis, the Kings could have scored more in a 3-2 win over the Capitals on Saturday. Kings outshot their opponents, 42-21.

“We let them hang around,” said Lewis. “We’ve just got to get that killer instinct and bury pucks around the net. You hold a club to 25 shots on Friday and 21 shots on Saturday, you don’t get much better than that. I’m disappointed that we didn’t get two wins.”

The split dropped the Kings two points back of Victoria Grizzlies in the battle for top spot in the BC Hockey League Island Division.

According to Lewis, defence has been the biggest turnover for the Kings this season.

“We knew there would be some growing pains,” he said. “There’s been some really good developments, but it’s going to keep getting better.”

Lewis has three defenders from last season, Jake Kohlauser, Andy Stevens and Jack Long. With his new goaltenders, Lewis’ defence was almost entirely new.

Lewis said he is excited about the news from Team Canada that three Kings have been invited to join the Canada West camp roster at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge; Stevens and forwards Kyle Betts and Carter Turnbull. Betts and Turnbull attended the camp last year and Lewis said they know what to expect.

“Andy is a guy who is really starting to come along,” said Lewis. “This was a boost of confidence he needs. You can see that in his play. He can be a man out there. He’s 6’3”, a big kid, sees the ice well and is starting to get more confidence with the puck.”

Lewis, who was head coach for Canada West at the 2011 challenge, said all three players have good chances to make the team.

“They have to go in and perform well,” he said. “It’s competitive. They could all find their way on that hockey club, but they’ve got to go in and show it and be good.”

Kings' next action is on the road, starting with a game on Friday, December 2, in Chilliwack. Before returning home the club plays in Penticton on Saturday, December 3, and in Trail on Sunday, December 4.