Powell River Kings took sole possession of the eighth and final BC Hockey League (BCHL) Coastal Conference playoff spot on Thursday, March 17, despite a loss to Langley Rivermen.
Kings earned a valuable point in a 6-5 shootout defeat to move ahead of the idle Cowichan Valley Capitals in the standings.
Langley scored twice in the first period and went ahead 3-0 just over a minute into period two, but Powell River exploded offensively shortly thereafter with five straight goals in a 10-minute span to take a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes. Caleb Parkhouse, Anthony Lucarelli, Owen Barrow, Jason Marsella and Kaleb Nelson each scored once. Parkhouse and Marsella also picked up assists, as did Parker Lalonde, Maxim Potvin and Nic Porchetta, the latter setting up a pair of the goals.
Rivermen capitalized on two third-period power plays to force an overtime period, which did not produce a winning goal. Kings shooters went 0-3 in the shootout, while the host club scored on its first of three attempts to secure the win.
Powell River outshot Langley 44-38. Attendance at George Preston Arena was 440.
Kings have two regular season games remaining, March 19 in Chilliwack and March 20 in Surrey.
Cowichan Valley also has two games to play, in Victoria on March 18 and at home against Nanaimo on March 19.
