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Powell River Kings end BCHL season on high note

Hockey club posts back-to-back wins over Victoria Grizzlies to close out 2019/2020 campaign
Powell River Kings’ forward Jack Brackett
Powell River Kings’ forward Jack Brackett crashes Victoria Grizzlies’ crease looking for a loose puck in BC Hockey League action at Hap Parker Arena on Saturday, February 22. Alicia Baas photo

Powell River Kings finished the 2019/2020 BC Hockey League regular season in style on Saturday, February 22, downing Victoria Grizzlies for the second night in a row, this time by a score of 5-1.

Kings won 5-2 on Friday, February 21; both games were played at Hap Parker Arena in Powell River.

Michael Abgrall opened the scoring on Saturday, converting a setup by Jacob Slipec into a 1-0 lead for the home team. Victoria equalized on a power play, then Devan Leduc and Ethan Schmunk combined to assist on Levi Glasman’s 22nd goal of the season to restore Powell River’s one-goal lead prior to the first intermission.

After a scoreless middle frame, Kings dominated play in the third period, outshooting the Grizzlies 15-10 and adding three more goals. Captain Jack Long and Glasman set up Schmunk’s 13th of the season on a power play midway through the period, then Long, in his final regular season game as a King, made it 4-1 with a shot from the slot after taking a pass from Leduc.

Rowan Miller scored unassisted with 27 seconds remaining in the game to round out the scoring.

Long was named the game’s first star, followed by Glasman (second) and Leduc (third).

Thomas Wardle made 26 saves for the home team. Powell River outshot Victoria 41-27 overall.

Attendance was 865.

Kings finished the regular season in third place in Island Division standings with 64 points and will play either Nanaimo Clippers or Cowichan Valley Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.

Cowichan has completed its schedule and leads the division with 77 points, one ahead of Nanaimo. The Clippers can vault into first place with a win over Alberni Valley on Sunday, February 23. Game time is 2 pm.

Kings will play the second place finishers come playoff time, while fourth-place Alberni will face off against the division champion.

Grizzlies finished fifth in the division but their point total of 49 is good enough for a wildcard playoff spot in the Interior Division.