Powell River Kings had lost all five games against Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan this season, including a 5-4 overtime defeat Monday night in game three of a best-of-seven BC Hockey League first-round series. After the game three loss, earning a split from the two road contests became the focus.
Capitals came out the better team in the first period and generated multiple chances around the goal. However, the Kings struck first after building pressure and momentum on a power play, scoring three seconds after the penalized player returned to the ice, thanks to Carter Turnbull’s league-leading fifth goal of the playoffs.
Powell River took control of the contest when Kyle Betts scored on another power play for a 2-0 advantage. Cowichan scored shortly thereafter to cut the deficit to one, but Jonny Evans restored a two-goal Kings lead with his second goal of the playoffs for a 3-1 lead through 40 minutes.
In the third period, Powell River remained in control, giving Cowichan very little in the way of offensive opportunities. Goaltender Jeff Smith preserved the lead and Nick Halagian sealed the win with an empty-net goal late in the third for a 4-1 win.
“No better time than the present,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer on the Kings first win in Cowichan this season. “Our guys earned it and it’s a bit of redemption from Monday night. The boys were pretty disappointed to put themselves in a position to win after being down, only to let it slip.”
The game checked a lot of boxes for the Kings, including a trip home holding a 3-1 lead in the series.
“Give our guys credit, they were engaged, they were ready and worked hard for 60 minutes,” added Sawyer. “[Jeff Smith] was great, the penalty kill was fantastic and you could just see guys blocking shots and willing each other to win.”
Game five takes place at 7 pm on Thursday, March 10, at Hap Parker Arena. With a win, Kings can end the Capitals season and move on to face the winner of a series currently in progress between Nanaimo an Alberni Valley.
“They only get tougher from here on it. Anytime you have a chance to end a team’s season and what they’ve been working on since August, you know you’re going to have a tough game and get their best,” said Sawyer. “You have an opponent who’s wounded, scratching and clawing to stay alive and every bounce, every hit and every shift will matter on Thursday.”
