A third-period goal by Noah Culos stood up as the game winner in a 4-2 win for Powell River U18 Kings over Campbell River Tyees on Saturday, January 21.
Culos picked up the puck in the slot after a miscue by Campbell River defenders and quickly lifted a shot over the goaltender’s shoulder. The goal came 1:24 into the final frame, and just 35 seconds after the visiting Tyees had knotted the game at two goals apiece.
After a scoreless first period, Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in period two courtesy of goals from Evan Piniewski and Tristan Peake. Both players pounced on rebounds in the crease, Piniewski at the 5:28 mark and Peake at 16:56.
Campbell River cut the deficit in half with just over a minute to play before intermission when a shot from the point was deflected into the net.
Kings hung on to a 3-2 lead for most of the third period after the Culos goal. Then team captain Tyler Durant provided an insurance marker with 4:40 remaining in the game.
Goaltender Leo Brosseau, who stopped 44 of the 46 shots he faced, picked up the only assist on the goal by Durant, who skated the puck into the offensive zone and rifled a shot into the top corner of the net. Brosseau’s counterpart in the Campbell River net faced 34 shots.
Braedyn Louie had a pair of assists in the game for the Kings, while also being a physical presence with several big hits and blocked shots. Draedyn Harris and Jeremy Pukesh also had one helper each on Powell River goals.
U18 Kings return to action on Sunday, January 22, hosting Oceanside at Hap Parker Arena. Game time is 1:15 pm.
