All quiet at Hap Parker Arena in Powell River

The recent drop in temperature, mostly felt in the evening and early morning, is a sign of two things: fall has arrived, and so has hockey season.

Few people draw excitement from the end of summer, which signifies the doldrums of the wet and cold winter weather to come, but the beginning of hockey season can perk up diehard and casual sports fans.

Hockey season actually arrived during the summer in Powell River, but then faded away due to BC Hockey League scheduling. Powell River Kings teased fans here by starting the regular season with four straight wins at home, but those four games were played prior to cooler temperatures arriving and the actual start of autumn on September 23.

Since that time, the team has played seven straight games away from Hap Parker Arena, with two more road games this weekend before the next home game against Penticton on Friday, October 11. For local fans in need of a regular hockey fix, or a fix at the beer gardens, the long break between home games is almost like the off-season again. They had a taste, but had to settle for just that.

The Kings are not at fault for the schedule, but the BC Hockey League never does the isolated team any favours when it comes to scheduling, whether it’s the ratio between home and away games or back-to-back home games against the same opposition. Between the last home date, a 7-2 win over Cowichan Valley on September 15, and the October 11 contest with the Interior Division-leading Vees, 26 days will have passed, a sufficient amount of time for all but the hardcore fan base to find other entertainment options.

Ardent followers of the team can keep track of the latest results by listening to Kings’ broadcaster Dante De Caria’s call of each game, and catching up on game reports in the Peak or at prpeak.com, but there is nothing like the atmosphere of a home game. That anticipation and excitement will ramp up even more now that the NHL season has started, especially with expected improvement from the Vancouver Canucks, who are either the favourite or second favourite team for most residents here (yes, other than the Kings). People are even using the “playoff” word regarding the Canucks, unheard of over the past couple of years, but a definite tease and excitement builder.

Kings are no longer undefeated overall, but they haven’t been beaten at home. Penticton will be a huge test, as will Island Division-leading Cowichan the next night, but winning creates a buzz, and winning streaks add interest.

Can they make it five or six in a row at home? You’ll have to wait another week to find out.