Powell River Kings rebounded from offensive struggles to start a three-game road trip by exploding for five goals in the first period of a BC Hockey League (BCHL) contest against Surrey Eagles on Sunday, December 19.
After scoring one goal in the previous two games, losses to Langley (4-1) on December 17 and Coquitlam (6-0) on December 18, Kings scored early and often in Surrey. Mark D’Agostino opened the scoring 15 seconds after puck drop, and Branden Toye made it 2-0 at the seven-minute mark with his first of two goals on the night.
Casey Aman, Anthony Lucarelli and Hunter Andrew also scored for the Kings in the first period. Eagles responded with a pair of goals before intermission, both by former Kings (Jacob Slipec and Michael Abgrall).
Surrey cut the lead to 5-3 with a goal 30 seconds into period two, but Toye responded eight minutes later with his second of the game to restore the three-goal lead.
Eagles made it 6-4 with 1:49 remaining in the period. There was no scoring in the final frame.
Kings’ goaltender Zak Brice stopped 43 of 47 shots to earn the win. His teammates recorded 30 shots on Eagles’ starter Eli Pulver, who was pulled after 20 minutes, and Max Prazma, who finished the game for the home team.
Aman, Nathan Small, Nolan Krogfoss, Karter McNarland and Parker Lalonde picked up assists for the Kings, whose first three goals were unassisted.
Attendance at South Surrey Arena was 583.
Powell River has 12 days off before travelling to Victoria for a New Year’s Day game against the Grizzlies.
The next home game for the Kings is Wednesday, January 5, also against the Grizzlies. Game time is 7 pm.
