Mitch Ball scored twice to lead Powell River Regals in 6-5 victory over Whitehorse Huskies in senior hockey action Saturday, January 22, in the Yukon capital, following a loss the previous evening.
Regals held three-goal leads on two occasions and managed to hang on for the win after penalty trouble led to two five-on-three power play goals for the Huskies, one with three seconds remaining in the second period and another late in the third.
"They came with huge pressure that last five minutes of the game," said Regals veteran Andy Welsh. "They threw everything at us but we were able to keep the puck out and hang on for the win."
After falling behind 1-0, Regals scored four times in the first period, including the pair from Ball and singles from Welsh and Chad Euverman. Huskies responded with a second goal before the period ended, cutting the lead to 4-2.
Each team scored twice in the second, with Andrew Derton and Colin Hemingway finding the back of the net for the Regals, bookended by Huskies tallies.
On Friday, January 21, Ball, Welsh and Rich Kellington scored for the Regals in a 5-3 loss.
"We were a little jet-lagged for the first game, a little flat and tired," said Welsh.
The teams traded third period goals before Huskies added an insurance marker on a late power play.
Next action for Regals is a playoff series versus North Island Capitals. Games one and two in a best-of-three Coy Cup qualification series are set for Hap Parker Arena on Saturday, February 20, at 8 pm and Sunday, February 21, at 1 pm.
"They have some good players and are starting to gel more as a team," said Welsh. "But we're confident with the guys we have and happy with how we've played this year."
Regals have a four wins in five games against the Capitals this season.
If necessary, game three will be held in Port Hardy on Sunday, March 6. The winner advances to Coy Cup 2016 in Terrace, BC.
