Michael Abgrall scored once and added two assists to lead Powell River Kings in a 5-2 win over the visiting Victoria Grizzlies at Hap Parker Arena on Friday, February 21.
Abgrall set up the first goal of the game, Devan Leduc’s 19th of the BC Hockey League season, 4:28 into the opening period. After Victoria equalized at the 11-minute mark, Powell River captain Jack Long restored the lead before the first intermission, capitalizing on a power play opportunity four minutes later.
All three first-period goals came on power plays.
Abgrall scored his 12th of the season in the second period before assisting on Leduc’s 20th to give the Kings a 4-1 lead. Grizzlies responded late in the period to close the gap to two, but were unable to get any closer. Levi Glasman rounded out the scoring for the home team in the third period, his 21st of the year, with helpers coming from Leduc and Ethan Schmunk.
Kings swept the game star selections with Abgrall first, Leduc second and Glasman third. All three players recorded three point nights.
Goaltender Derek Krall stopped 19 of 21 shots to earn the win, while his counterpart Blake Wood turned aside 49 of 54 shots in a losing effort.
Attendance was 981.
Kings and Grizzlies each play their final game of the season tonight (Saturday, February 22), also in Powell River. Game time at Hap Parker Arena is 5 pm.
With one game remaining, Powell River is locked in third place in Island Division standings with 62 points, eight more than Alberni Valley and 13 ahead of Victoria.
Nanaimo (76 points) defeated Cowichan Valley (77) 2-1 on February 21 to move within one point of the division lead. Both teams play Alberni Valley in their final game of the season. Cowichan hosts the Bulldogs tonight; Nanaimo travels to Alberni on Sunday.
Kings will face the second-place finisher in the first round of BCHL playoffs.
