Powell River CEP Local 76 Midget Kings recently travelled to Victoria to compete in the BC Hockey Midget Tier II Championships and returned as medal winners.
The team earned the right to represent Vancouver Island District by defeating Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the finals. Other teams competing in the provincial championships were Penticton Vees, Langley Eagles, Prince George Cougars, Cranbrook Ice, Rossland-Trail Smoke Eaters, Aldergrove Bruins and host Saanich Braves.
Powell River started off round-robin play by facing the Eagles. The Lower Mainland champions were able to carry a 3-1 lead into the third period but Powell River mounted a late comeback and won 4-3.
Kings’ second game was against North Central District champions Prince George. Both teams battled hard early with the Kings carrying a 2-1 lead into the first intermission but the team from Prince George was no match for Powell River’s potent offence. Kings scored seven unanswered goals in the second and third periods to skate away with a 9-1 victory.
Powell River’s third game was against Penticton, the heavily favoured Okanagan champions. Kings scored two goals in the first period and managed to defend the lead until the final horn blew. The 2-0 victory gave Powell River first place in their pool and made them the only undefeated team at the completion of round-robin play.
Kings’ next challenge would be a semifinal matchup against East Kootenay’s team from Cranbrook. The winner would advance to the championship final and the loser to the bronze-medal game. Goals were exchanged throughout the game bringing them to a 3-3 tie late in the third period. With a minute and a half left in the game Cranbrook scored the go-ahead goal and the Kings were unable to recover.
The loss forced the Kings into the bronze-medal game against West Kootenay’s champions the Smoke Eaters. Powell River dominated play outshooting the Smoke Eaters 55-20 but the score remained close and the Kings came away with a 2-1 win and third place in the tournament.
Although disappointed in not having won the championship, the team can look back on the season as a success with an overall record of 33 wins, 11 losses and one tie.
