A celebratory leap on leap day was not in the cards for Powell River Kings on Saturday, February 29.
In game two of their BC Hockey League opening round playoff series against Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan, Kings came all the way back from a 6-3 second period deficit and forced overtime, but the home team regrouped and scored the winner 13:48 into the extra period.
Levi Glasman and Ethan Schmunk each had a goal and two assists for Powell River; Primo Self recorded a hat-trick for Cowichan.
The teams traded goals in the first period, each scoring three times. Powell River led 3-2 at one point, with goals from Brett Roloson, Jacob Slipec and Schmunk. Cowichan tied the score at three 33 seconds before intermission, then took control of the game in the second period with three goals in seven minutes.
Kings set the tone for the comeback by converting a power play opportunity with just over a minute remaining in the period; Roloson and Glasman set up Jacob Badal’s first of the playoffs.
Powell River outshot Cowichan 53-40 overall, including by a 13-7 margin in the third period. Devin Leduc made it a one-goal game at 10:24 on another powerplay. The lone assist went to Davis Pennington, who combined with Schmunk to assist on Glasman’s game-tying goal with 12 seconds remaining to knot the game at six.
Kings starter Derek Krall was pulled in the second period in favour of Thomas Wardle after giving up five goals on 24 shots. Wardle stopped 14 of 16 shots in relief.
With the 7-6 win, Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. Attendance at Cowichan Community Centre was 915.
The series resumes with game three and four in Powell River on Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4, at Hap Parker Arena. Both games start at 7 pm.
In the other BCHL Island Division opening round match-up, Nanaimo defeated Alberni 6-3 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
