For the fourth time in five years, and after finishing the regular season separated by just two points, Powell River Kings and Nanaimo Clippers find themselves paired up for a best-of-seven BC Hockey League playoff series.
Nanaimo hosted game one on March 2 at Frank Crane Arena, one of Powell River’s more successful road venues this season, with the Kings claiming three of the four games as visitors.
A tense but entertaining opening period kicked off the series. Neither side scored, but the pace of the game was high as both teams quickly adjusted to the style and intensity of BCHL playoff hockey.
Powell River managed just six shots on goal, while Nanaimo fired nine on affiliate netminder Derek Krall.
Krall started ahead of injured regulars Mitch Adamyk and Matteo Paler-Chow, who backed up after battling illness midweek.
Kings came alive in the second period and upped the pace of play, eventually breaking the deadlock midway through the period courtesy of a goal by Neal Samanski. Just 48 seconds later, Carter Turnbull made it 2-0 off an offensive zone face off win, before Josh Coblenz extended the lead to 3-0 late in the period.
A fourth goal early in the third period put the game beyond reach and Powell River skated on to a 4-1 victory in game one. Krall turned aside 31 Nanaimo shots for his first BCHL playoff victory.
“To be able to score back to back was huge, a real turning point in the game,” said Samanski. “The game was so much faster than regular season; it was a lot of fun.”
Kings interim head coach Brock Sawyer was full of praise for his team following the win.
“Tonight checked a lot of boxes; it was a great team effort all around,” said Sawyer. “Certainly, some things we want to tighten up, but full credit to our guys as they came in prepared and executed well.”
Game two was played on March 3, also in Nanaimo. In a similar style of game, Powell River again scored the first goal, and again by Samanski. Nanaimo countered with a pair of goals in the second period before Samanski added his third of the playoffs midway through the final frame.
Another pair of Nanaimo goals 1:46 apart put the Clippers out to a 4-2 lead before Ben Berard scored on a power play in the final minute to bring the Kings within one. Nanaimo held on for a 4-3 win.
Powell River’s lack of discipline was the story of the game, as the team provided Nanaimo with a season-high 10 power play opportunities. The hosts converted on two of those occasions.
“We let our emotions get the best of us; we were undisciplined and it’s tough when you parade to the penalty box,” said Sawyer after the game. “Five-on-five we dominated, and this game just shows we can’t engage in the post-whistle stuff we got caught in tonight. Our discipline needs to be better moving forward.”
With the best of seven series tied at one, a pivotal game three took place at Hap Parker Arena on March 5.
An early Clippers’ goal put the visitors on the board; however, Berard and Coblenz scored in regulation for the Kings to send the game to overtime tied at two. Midway through the first extra session, Berard capped a passing play on the rush and scored the game winner, giving the Kings a 2-1 series lead.
Chow stopped 28 Nanaimo shots in his first BCHL post-season start.
Results from game four on March 6 were not available at press time.
Game five takes place in Nanaimo on Thursday, March 8. The series returns to Powell River for game six, if necessary, on Saturday, March 10.
