Powell River U15 Kings advanced to the provincial finals with a convincing 13-2 win over Kerry Park U15 Islanders at Hap Parker Arena on March 2.
The victory completed a two-game sweep of the Islanders, who also lost game one of the best-of-three Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association Tier 3 championship by a score of 7-1 in Kerry Park on February 24.
Kooper Kozmeniuk led the way offensively for Powell River in the deciding game with five goals and two assists. Lucas Gruntman recorded a hat-trick while single tallies came off the sticks of Ryan Marshman, James Barrows, Gabriel Caldarone, Weston Kolba and Keaton Bryce.
Kozmeniuk and Gruntman were also prominent in game one, with each scoring a trio of goals. Marshman also scored in the road win.
The provincial finals take place in Quesnel from March 17 to 20.
Close call
Powell River U18 Kings fell short of advancing to provincials with a 5-3 loss to Oceanside Generals in game two of their best-of-three island final on March 2.
Tristan Hawkins, Jeremy Pukesh and Evan Piniewski scored for the U18 Kings, who trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes and entered the third period down 3-1. The visitors needed a win to extend the series and tied the score at 3-3 early in the third period at Oceanside Place Arena. However, the home team notched the game and series winner midway through the final frame and added an insurance marker into an empty net with 10 seconds left on the clock.
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