A spot in the provincial final will be on the line when Powell River Regals meet Dawson Creek Canucks in a Coy Cup playoff matchup in Merritt this weekend.
A three-team playoff for a berth in the championship series has come down to one, possibly two games. Rossland Warriors have been eliminated after splitting a pair of home games with the Canucks on February 19 and 20, guaranteeing the worst record in the series.
“We have secured games in Merritt as both teams decided in terms of travel and cost, a neutral site game was better,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “The Merritt Centennials’ group of volunteers is hosting the playoff games between us and Dawson; all net proceeds goes to hockey in Merritt.”
Dawson Creek finished with a 3-1 record against Rossland and the Regals split their four games with the Warriors, so the Canucks need just one win to advance to the Coy Cup final. But if the Regals win game one on March 5, the teams will meet in a winner-take-all game on March 6, also in Merritt.
“We’re excited we can bring a couple of playoff games to Merritt as they have gone through such a horrific stretch with fire and flood damage,” said English. “Their team president has been great in accommodating us, as has the City of Merritt.”
The best-of-three Coy Cup senior AA provincial championship series will be played at the home arena of the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) champion. Prince Rupert, Quesnel, Terrace and Williams Lake are currently vying to host the final against either Powell River or Dawson Creek.
In minor hockey playoffs, Powell River U13 boys’ rep team defeated Triport 5-2 at home on February 26 in the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association Tier 3 final series. The team now heads to Port Hardy for a pair of scheduled games on March 5 and 6, needing just one win to advance to the provincials in Trail.
Powell River’s U18 boys’ squad is also seeking a Vancouver Island championship. On February 27 in Port McNeill, Matteo Porchetta scored the game-winning goal in an overtime win over Triport in game one of a best-of-three series. Matt McDonald and Tanner Burt scored during regulation time for Powell River in the 3-2 win.
Games two and three are scheduled for March 5 (1:15 pm) and March 6 (8:15 am) at Powell River Recreation Complex.
Also on February 27, in BC Hockey League regular season action, Powell River Kings dropped their third game of the weekend, 5-3 to Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan. Casey Aman scored once and Caleb Parkhouse added a pair for the Kings, who lost 4-3 to the same team the night before, and dropped a 3-2 overtime decision in Alberni Valley on February 25.
Kings host Cowichan at Hap Parker Arena on Wednesday, March 2. Game time is 7 pm.
